THANDA Royal Zulu FC missed a penalty and with it squandered the chance of notching up all three points as they settled for a solitary point in a goalless draw with Milano United at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Tuesday.
The NFD’s leading scorer, Ace Bhengu was fractionally wide with his spot kick in the 10th minute of the game after the lively Innocent Maela was brought down in the box.
Prior to this, Cyril Masinga had powered a header over the top in front of a gaping goalmouth – the first of dozens of opportunities that would come Thanda’s way in an entertaining contest against the team lying third in the league, one place ahead of the Amabhubesi.
Best chances in the first stanza came from Nkosingiphile Ncobeni, whose fierce shot was well saved by Lee-Raoul Lengeveldt, and lively playmaker Renaldo Spandiel who blasted over the top.
It was ‘same old same old’ in the second period, with massive dominance in possession and territory not reflected on the score sheet.
The half opened with a tremendous solo run by Menzi Hlophe, nullified by his weak shot.
He had an even better chance when he barged down an attempted clearance and set up a one-on-one with the Milano keeper but again the poor shot did not match the great effort.
Slick inter-passing play presented Ncobeni with another solid chance but again the shot was wide.
The tale of missed chances repeated itself ad nauseam and stand-in coach Asanda Mvalo must feel sabotaged by the failure of his boys to bury the ball.
Paradoxically, Thanda always looked like scoring but never looked like scoring, doing everything right except finish off the many fine moves.
Thanda is a tremendous team, with rock-like defence, swift counter-attacking and plenty of skills in all departments.
They have all the credentials to win the league and gain PSL promotion. But they sorely lack a finisher.
For all his scoring prowess, Ace Bhengu is not a natural goal-getter and in any case it should not all be left to him.
Strikers work in pairs and he needs to find the right partner to convert chances into goals.
The next outing sees Thanda up against leaders Golden Arrows at the Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday.
Then it’s back to the uMhlathuze Stadium to take on second placed Jomo Cosmos on Saturday, 6 December.
No reason why they can’t win both.
PHOTO: Larry Bentley
