AFTER being denied what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate goal, Thanda Royal Zulu FC had to settle for a 0-0 draw against fellow NFD basement dwellers Blackburn Rovers in their match played at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Sunday.
Amabhubesi striker Mhlengi Cele had headed the ball solidly into the back of the net only to see the assistant raise the offside flag, to the disbelief and anguish of the home supporters.
In fairness to the officials who may have got that one wrong, Thanda should not have let the game hinge on that one decision.
They created many chances, hit the woodwork twice and squandered a few gilt-edged opportunities that shaved the uprights.
One of the best of these was Michael Gumede’s flying header late in the first half, that flew centimetres wide.
Even unluckier was the clever deflection of Diamond Thopola’s cross by Andile Fikizolo, the ball bouncing on the crossbar with Rovers’s keeper Sheldon Baatjies well beaten.
Thanda are looking good right now and there is clearly a new urgency when they get onto the park as the players scrap for every ball.
With a win and two draws in their last three outings, all that’s needed now is to convert those chances into goals and turn the one-pointers into three.
The next week will be the real test, as Thanda hit the road for three away matches in eight days – and those against the top sides in the league.
Not only could they play themselves out of the relegation zone; they could also upset the balance of power in the higher echelons of the NFD.
On Friday they take on Santos, then it’s Vasco da Gama on Tuesday and Chippa United the following Friday (7 February).
