IT’S not often that leopards outwit lions, but it happened at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Wednesday as Thanda Royal Zulu crashed to a second successive defeat, going down 2-0 to Black Leopards.Just as life isn’t always fair, Amabhubesi could complain that they were the better team on the day and should have had this vital match in the bag by half time.
The Thanda pride opened majestically, spreading the ball across the park and dominating all aspects of the play.
They were denied when Menzi Hlophe thundered a shot onto the crossbar in the 12th minute with Leopards’ keeper Avhashoni Tshinuna well beaten.
Tshinuna would see plenty of the ball in the first stanza as Thanda piled on the pressure without any luck – but also with a lack of composure.
Diamond Thopola came close midway through the half with a well struck shot from the edge of the box but a handful of chances went a-begging simply because of failure to commit to the 50-50 ball.
It was sad to see so many home players back out of contact situations, lose control or gift the ball to the opposition.
Leopards, on the other hand, threw their bodies in front of every shot and deflected countless goal-bound shots during the course of the game.
The break came at 0-0 and there was nothing to suggest Thanda would not eventually get the three points so desperately needed in the fight for promotion.
They were out the blocks at top speed in the second half, with Ace Bhengu and Michael Gumede alternately setting each other up or getting in each other’s way four times in as many minutes.
With almost the entire side on the attack, it was the familiar story of Leopards breakaways that led to both their goals as the door was left wide open for the counter.
Thanda kept hammering away but with nowhere near enough conviction and a reluctance to shoot on sight.
Leopards were happy to fill their box with bodies and frustrated Thanda with a relentless effort on defence.
If chances won matches, Thanda would have walked this one.
But they don’t, and Leopards’ ability to take the few they had made all the difference.
It doesn’t get easier for Thanda as they now take the long trip down to Cape Town for Sunday’s match against Milano United.
They simply cannot afford to lose ground with another loss, which would have dire consequences for their PSL hopes.
