STILL smarting after their 3-0 home defeat to Highlands Park last Sunday, Thanda Royal Zulu surged back with a superb away performance against Cape Town All Stars on Friday.
The Cape side, who lie second on the National First Division table, will be the first to admit they were lucky to get away with a 1-0 win as they absorbed plenty of pressure from the Amabhubesi.
The game played at a windy Athlone Stadium was an absolute thriller and the hosts couldn’t wait for the final whistle to blow as Thanda threatened to blow away their lead.
It seems the story of their season that Thanda dominate but fail to win, and this was no exception.
They again blew a bagful of chances, hit the woodwork and even had a goal by Michael Gumede disallowed.
The soccer gods are apparently not from Zululand.
The only goal of the game was scored by Ranga Chivaviro early on and to their credit, All Stars held on despite the sending off of Sizwe Mdlinzo in the 21st minute.
They also had their chances, but an on-form Siyabonga Mbatha in the Thanda goals repelled any threats.
Thanda’s best chance to equalise was spurned in the 50th minute when Menzi Hlophe failed to put the ball in the back of the net from right in front.
Urgently needing a win to reflect their solid standard of play this season – though the results say otherwise – Thanda will be at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Saturday to take on Vasco da Gama.
