Dismal Thanda toss it away – again

UP 1-0 at half-time and a further goal ahead early in the second period, Thanda Royal Zulu somehow managed to go down 2-4 to fellow NFD strugglers FC Cape Town in a scrappy game played at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Wednesday.

This means they have conceded four goals in consecutive matches – a sure indication that something is radically wrong on the defensive front.

Whereas Thanda looked co-ordinated and compact in the first 45 minutes, in the second stanza they performed like 11 strangers who had just met on the field, constantly giving the ball away and passing to nobody in particular.

Not that the Cape outfit played any better, their style comprising route one ‘hit and hope’ long balls.

It was, in all honesty, a true reflection of a contest between the two sides propping up the table.

Thanda were first to strike when a perfect cross from Mbuso Manyoni was headed forcefully home by Mhlengi Cele with the game barely started.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs, Thanda cruised through the half and should have grabbed a few more after having plenty of chances.

They did double their lead early in the second period when Gerald Xowana coolly slotted home from a spot kick after the ball was handled in the visitors’ box.

But the joy of the sparse crowd was short-lived as Thanda goalkeeper Zama Dlamini was deemed to have brought down an attacker and Siphiwe Gwala made it 2-1 from the penalty.

Worse was to come when an angry Dlamini was shown a second yellow card for time wasting.

With only 10 men and now playing into the wind, Amabhubesi suddenly lost all their shape and were dragged into playing at the level of the opposition.

Three goals followed in quick succession, all too easy for FC Cape Town who won 4-2, going away.

Mercifully, the ref put an end to proceedings with only a handful of spectators there to hear the final whistle.