Thanda drop three vital points

THANDA Royal Zulu disappointed themselves and their fans on Saturday with a shock 3-1 away loss to Highlands Park.

Amabhubesi were expected to make easy work of this encounter but failed to give anywhere near their best performance.

Ace Bhengu scored from the penalty spot to take his season’s tally to 16 but a Thanda own goal and two more by Highlands spoilt the party.

In the process, Thanda probably lost their second spot on the NFD table to Jomo Cosmos, who were due to play rock bottom club Garankuwa United on Sunday.

On the positive side, close chasers Cape Town All Stars also conceded defeat to Santos, while log leaders Golden Arrows failed to take full advantage after playing to a draw against Witbank Spurs.

But there is a flashing red light in the form of Black Leopards, who are now on Thanda’s tail after drilling Royal Eagles 2-1.

Leopards, who recently defeated Kaiser Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup, are on a roll and will be the ‘must beat’ opposition at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

A win for Thanda will put them back on track for automatic promotion to the PSL.

A defeat will see them back in the scrap for promotion play-off places, with only six games left in the season.