Thanda Royal Zulu FC torn apart
Thanda will be away to Santos on Saturday, and can't be relishing the trip after being thoroughly outclassed on Sunday.
TWO goals in each half saw Thanda Royal Zulu lose their unbeaten NFD record in no uncertain terms when they were torn apart by a slick Baroka FC outfit at the uMhlathuze Stadium yesterday.
This after the scheduled Saturday kick-off was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The visitors showed dominance from the outset with crisp passing and clever overlapping.
But it was the Amabhubesi who had the first real chance when Boy Gumede fired a rasping shot straight at the keeper in the 11th minute.
They paid for the miss just moments later when a corner saw a free header cleared off the line but the ball was deemed to have crossed the whitewash (0-1).
Soon after, Blessed Mkhwanazi injured himself against the goal post when he scrambled a Baroka shot that was heading for goal number two.
A couple a superb saves from Thanda keeper Siyabonga Mbatha spared the pain for a while but he was unable to get near a direct free kick seconds before the close of the half (0-2).
Hope soon fades
Thanda started like demons after the break, with Nsele twice denied by Oscarine Masuluke, a giant of a man who easily plucked every high ball out the air.
It never seemed to register with the Thanda wide men that a low cross would be the only way of beating him.
There would be further chances for the Amabhubesi but inevitably as they pushed forward, holes were left at the back and an on-form Baroka made the most of this, adding a further two goals to the scoreboard and further misery to Thanda and the few loyal fans who had arrived.
Baroka fully deserved this win, being better in all departments – their calmness in defence standing them in good stead.
Thanda will be away to Santos on Saturday, and can’t be relishing the trip after being thoroughly outclassed on Sunday.
