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DURBAN, September 14 (Absa Premier League) – Bernard Parker scored a second successive brace to help Thanda Royal Zulu move top of the Absa Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday.
The Amabhubesi captain, who scored twice in his side’s opening win against Kaizer Chiefs two weeks ago, again showed his worth scoring in the 64th and 74th minutes in Hammersdale to lift his side to a well deserved three points.
Uganda international Geofrey Sserunkuma netted a late goal for Celtic but it proved only a consolation for Mich D’Avray’s team, who remain without a point this season.
Thanda came out firing with Felix Obada’s mazy run and cross from the right by-line causing confusion in the Celtic penalty area, before the ball was eventually cleared.
The Nigerian again carved open the visiting defence when he swung in a low cross from the right, which Peter Ndlovu was slightly slow in getting to as a good chance went begging.
In the 12th minute, Parker almost capitalised on sloppy defending by the visitors, but his shot from six-yards out was blocked by Ditheko Mototo.
Thabiso Ramile then forced Shuaib Walters to tip his 30-yard shot over as the hosts looked to take advantage of their early dominance.
Thanda had another chance blocked by the Celtic defence after Parker’s neat knock-down to Ndlovu inside the penalty area.
At the other end, Celtic rarely threatened, with wayward long-range efforts the order of the day.
Parker was again in the thick of the action drawing a fine close-range save from Walters, who needed to scramble the ball away with his feet, after July Mahlangu beat the off-side trap to cross from the left.
The visitors had to wait until three minutes before the break for their best chance of the half.
It came courtesy of a Moses Spandeel corner from the right that fell to the feet of Petrus Mahlatsi at the near post, who shot straight at Aubrey Mathibe.
Celtic came out strongly after the restart, with Timothy Batabaire sending a powerful strike straight at Mathibe, before Spandeel sent a dipping 20-yard shot inches over.
Kleinbooi Taaibos then wastefully put his six-yard header from a free-kick wide as the visitors looked a changed team at the start of the second half.
Mathibe had to be at his best in the 58th minute when Spandeel found himself unmarked on the left side of the penalty area and drew a fine diving save from the Thanda goalkeeper.
And Celtic were made to pay in the 64th minute, when Parker picked up a pass from Obada on the edge of the penalty area and with his back to goal, spun himself around, before unleashing a powerful low shot beyond Walters.
July Mahlangu almost doubled the lead nine minutes later, but saw his 12-yard strike come back off the cross-bar.
But Parker was not to be denied a second, converting from the penalty spot after Ahmed Muhammed was hauled down in the area after 74 minutes.
The Thanda skipper was then denied his hat-trick after Walters delivered a point-blank save to keep out his shot from the left side of the penalty area.
With the result looking decided, Ugandan Sserunkuma set up a frantic finish when he met Spandeel’s flighted free-kick with an incisive close-range header in the 86th minute.
However, it proved only a consolation as the hosts held on for well deserved win and top spot in the table.