THANDA Royal Zulu FC’s report card will show an A+ in the results column after a 3-2 win over Santos at the uMhlathuze Stadium yesterday.
The bottom line is that the victory in the NFD Qualification Competition match sees them join the list of 32 clubs that go into the draw for the first round of the 2014/15 Nedbank Cup.
The victory was no small achievement as yet again they have beaten a top side to advance in the prestigious competition, with memories still fresh of that fantastic game against Orlando Pirates in the same knock-out competition earlier this year.
But there will be some serious concerns noted in the ‘comments’ column on Tuesday’s report card.
The main issue will be the failure to tuck away numerous gilt-edged chances in what should have been a runaway win.
This especially after the visitors were reduced to ten men early in the second stanza after an atrocious elbow in the face of Innocent Maela by defender Shahied Mobara.
Enjoying the freedom of the park, the tireless Thanda midfielders put the strikers through time after tim, but reluctance to pull the trigger accurately frustrated the fans.
The Amabhubesi are a pleasure to watch – the best passers of the ball by far in the NFD.
Coupled with a fair bit of trickery and the ability to change direction of attack at will, the Santos side must have travelled home with sore necks from trying to stay up with play.
But the warning signs were there whenever the Cape side moved up the field, with the old story of gaps at the back through players out of position undoing much of the good work.
Ace on target
After sizing each other up from the first whistle, Thanda soon got into their stride and worked a number of failed chances until that man Ace Bhengu popped up in the 38th minute to coolly slot the ball home after some slick inter-passing (1-0).
The second half was a litany of missed opportunities with Santos keeper Keenon Blignaut at times the only obstacle between Thanda and a cricket score.
But, as often happens when it’s 11 v 10, a breakaway with the out-of-position defence too late to recover saw Santos bag the equaliser midway through the half (1-1).
Spectacular saves by Blignaut and spectacular misses by the Thanda front men saw extra time looming until Maela broke the deadlock with a precision strike into the corner (2-1).
Man of the Match Menzi Hlophe then dazzled the defence to set up Bhengu for a brace with an easy tap-in (3-1).
In optional time, the referee was conned by a Santos dive in the box and Suhayl Allie just squeezed the spot kick past Samkelo Mbambo for the final 3-2 scoreline, flattering the visitors.
A resurgent Thanda have great confidence ahead of their next two league games on the road, against Garunkuwa on 14 December and Witbank Spurs on the 20th.
Presently in third spot just three points off the pace, wins could take them to first place on the NFD log.
PHOTO: Dave Savides
