Thanda pay the penalty
Thanda remain in third place, one point behind Milano and two behind Golden Arrows.
A RECKLESS tackle in the box and a host of missed opportunities cost Thanda Royal Zulu a win at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Wednesday afternoon against FC Cape Town.
As it was, it took a late equaliser from Siduduzo Dlamini to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw, a result that saw Thanda fail to take top spot on the NFD log, but at least earn another point in their quest for PSL promotion.
In conditions that favoured the visitors, with a blustery southwester prevailing throughout, Amabhubesi started the first half like an express train, stringing together passes across the field and leaving FC Cape Town to chase shadows.
But for all their dominance there were few shots on goal and on the half hour they paid the price when Blessed Mkhwanazi’s ill-timed challenge from behind resulted in a penalty that was easily stroked past Samkelo Mbambo by Justice Sithole.
Play after the resumption followed the first half pattern, with Thanda piling on the pressure and this time creating plenty of chances that went begging.
Innocent Maela headed over from a great cross 20 minutes into the half and soon after Thanda coach Thami Ngubane and the fair-sized home crowd were mystified as referee Lusapho Mabombo – who otherwise had a superb game – inexplicably gave an indirect free kick in foot-up in the box.
Clearly falling under the category of ‘dangerous play’, Thanda were denied a legitimate penalty.
As if this was not enough, Eden Nene then hooked the ball over the bar from three metres, followed by near misses from Eugene Mncube and Dlamini, the latter making amends by slotting home the equaliser.
A huge element of luck as well as a large dosage of time wasting as the visitors parked the bus, had seemed to be working until then.
Thanda CEO Pierre Delvaux was disappointed at the result, but full of praise for his side.
‘To conceded a penalty and have no luck going for you, then to come back and dominate shows their strength of character and bodes well for the future.’
Thanda remain in third place, one point behind Milano and two behind Golden Arrows.
