GALLERY: Thanda power to win in the wet

AFTER a shocking first half during which they played their worst football of the season and trailed 1-0, Thanda Royal Zulu turned it on with three unanswered goals in the second period to drill FC Cape Town at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Saturday.

The Amabhubesi were all over the place in the first stanza, failing to come to grips with the pace of the ball on the wet surface.

Not that the visitors were much better. In fact, the game looked like what it was: an encounter between two teams at the wrong end of the log.

Chances were few and far between and when FC Cape Town did score in the 27th minute it came from goalmouth chaos with a number of deflections before the net was penetrated, Maboke Matlakala getting the final touch.

Whatever was said in the change room had the desired effect, and Thanda came out looking like a different team, brim-full of confidence and energy.

The loyal fans who had braved the weather were treated to a superb demonstration of skill and aggression, and witnessed two of the finest strikes we are likely to see all season.

Scorchers

Siduduzo Dlamini claimed the first, his rocket shot from distance blazing into the far corner after the ball was laid back perfectly into his path six minutes into the restart (1-1).

Lindokuhle Holdayi had a good chance soon after but skied his attempt and almost immediately the Cape side were unlucky when a header bounced off the crossbar.

They had even worse fortune halfway through the second 45 when Sphamandla Sithole was red-carded for an unintended, dangerously high foot to the face of an opponent.

Already on the rampage, this gave Thanda even more space on the field and they took the lead in the 72nd minute as Sibongiseni Zuma headed home powerfully from a cross (2-1).

But the signs looked as ominous as the steadily deteriorating weather when Thanda conceded a penalty a minute later.

However, keeper Samkelo Mbambo was more than up to the challenge and he saved superbly into the gale force rain that was sweeping up the field.

Looking oddly more at home in the deluge than did the visitors, Thanda were now playing superbly and Boy Gumede was unlucky to see his fine shot hit the post with Glen Thekletsane well beaten, followed by Steven Ncanana’s header from a corner whistling over the post.

The third goal had to come and when it did, it was the best strike seen here for years as Sakhile Khubeka nailed a fierce drive from well out the box.

The 3-1 score line now looked as sweet as the shot and it could have been four as Zuma again came close in the dying moments.

Thanda are on the road this week to face Black Leopards, who lost 2-1 to Witbank Spurs on Saturday.

Another win here for coach Maj David Bright’s Amabhubesi army will see them marching toward the top third of the log.