Matchday 22 - Report
Thanda Royal Zulu 1 - Bay Utd 0
DURBAN, March 01 (Absa Premier League) – Bongani Mbhele scored the only goal as Thanda Royal Zulu claimed a priceless three points in a narrow 1-0 Absa Premier League victory over Bay United on Sunday.
Both sides, who are battling against relegation, needed a win in order to boost their survival chances and the game could have gone either way with plenty of chances at each end.
But Mbhele’s well struck finish on the stroke of half time, proved decisive as the Amabhubesi moved six points clear of Umlilo – the team from Port Elizabeth having played three games more than closest rivals Bloemfontein Celtic.
There was a recall for Aubrey Mathibe between posts instead of Mandlenkosi Tsengwa, who leaked six goals in his last outing at Bidvest Wits, and the Thanda custodian had to be at his best in the eighth minute when Asanda Mvalo fired in a 12-yard shot from the penalty spot that was somehow tipped over.
A minute later Teboho Moloi’s shot was fired straight at the goalkeeper as Bay did all the early running in Hammarsdale.
At the other end, Nkosinathi Nhleko saw his 18-yard shot fly straight at Arthur Bartman, before the striker produced another long-range strike from just outside the box come off the post.
The goal-mouth action continued to come thick and fast with Mathibe again forced into a sprawling save to keep out Gareth Ncaca’s 25-yard bullet.
In the 20th minute midfielder Zamuxolo Ngalo had his first opportunity when he tricked his way into the box, but again Bay found an inspired Thanda goalkeeper, who this time managed to parry the ball away.
Clement Mazibuko came close for the hosts shortly after when he headed Bongani Mbhele’s free-kick narrowly over, Moloi and Ncaca wastefully fired over from distance as the pace of the game began to slow down just past the half-hour mark.
But just before half-time, Roger Palmgren’s team managed to break the deadlock with all the good work done by Nhleko.
His pass to Mbhele in the centre of the penalty area saw the midfielder unleash a low shot that arrowed into the bottom right corner as the home side headed into the break in the ascendancy.
The game died down in the second half with the two players that combined for the goal, Nhleko and Mbhele, firing narrowly over just before the hour mark, and Paulus Shiphanga delivering a similar shot for Bay.
The closest that both sides came to scoring was courtesy of a Phil Evans free-kick from 20 yards that looked to be heading into the top corner, but for Bartman’s timely intervention.
The visitors looked flat in the closing stages with Mathibe only marginally tested when he had to parry George Ngangqu’s shot from the edge of the box as Thanda held on for all the points.