THEY showed their best form of the season by far, piling on the pressure from start to finish, but Thanda’s 3-2 win over high-flying Witbank Spurs was ultimately a close and sensational call.
Total commitment and a refusal to be denied the three points saw the Amabhubesi leave the uMhlathuze Stadium deserved winners, and their supporters ecstatic after witnessing a brilliant performance.
Especially satisfying was the fact that the team that ran onto the field had no fewer than six under 23 players, including captain Blessed Mkhwanazi whose thundering long range shot was one of many Thanda chances that could have given them a handsome first half lead.
The youngsters were throwing everything into the fray, winning the loose balls and closing down spaces at speed.
As it was, only a triple save by Samkelo Mbambo ensured the visitors were kept scoreless when conceding seemed inevitable, and it was 0-0 at the break.
The Thanda dominance was repeated in the second stanza and it came as no surprise when Menzi Hlophe left the keeper for dead as he waltzed in to finish a fine inter-passing move (1-0).
Behind it was the amazing contribution of Sakhile Khubeka, my man of the match and always at the centre of the action, often catching defenders in possession and robbing them of the ball.
Thanda appeared to be cruising to a single goal victory, but a crazy last 15 minutes saw no fewer than four more goals banged in.
The first two went to Spurs in as many minutes, both by Cleopas Dube, taking them into a 2-1 lead in front of the disbelieving and despairing home fans.
But Thanda would not be denied, and Cristoph Komane smashed in a header from a corner to equalise before ever-reliable Michael Gumede fired home with the clock running out.
This was a huge scalp for Thanda as Spurs would have gone to the top of the NFD log had they won.
Thanda’s work for the week is far from over as they play away to Mthatha Bucks on Wednesday before returning to the uMhlthatuze Stadium on Saturday to tackle Maroka Swallows.
Both opponents occupy lowly positions on the NFD log and six points will be the aim of coach Asanda Mvalo, who is doing outstanding work with his young squad.
