Matchday 27 - Report
Thanda Royal Zulu 1 - Mamelodi Sundowns 0
DURBAN, April 15 (Absa Premier League) – Katlego Loke scored the only goal to help Thanda Royal Zulu move out of the Absa Premier League relegation zone with a narrow victory over Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.
It gave new Amabhubesi coach Mlungisi Ngubane a perfect start to his tenure as coach after he took over from Roger Palmgren over the weekend.
And our boys responded well with a much improved performance at the Mpumalanga Stadium to end a four-match losing streak that now moves them onto 29 points, three ahead of Bloemfontein Celtic, who have a game in hand.
The first half was a tight affair with both sides jostling for procession.
Sundowns did look the much better team, though, creating most of the openings and, after Sibusiso Hadebe fired his 20-yard strike wide in the opening five minutes, the visitors responded with a wasted effort from Bongane Twala.
Benedict Vilakazi then picked out Surprise Moriri inside the box, but the striker spooned his shot over.
In the 19th minute, Nkosinathi Nhleko managed to outmuscle his way through the Sundowns defence, but was unable to beat Brian Baloyi with his 20-yard effort that was sharply saved.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Twala had another clear-cut opportunity after he latched onto a long ball, but miscued his final shot as another chance flew into the crowd.
When Thando Mngomeni did eventually manage to hit the target, he found Aubrey Mathibe well positioned to deal with his left-footed effort from the right side of the penalty area as the sides went in level at half-time.
After the break, the home side came out with a bang and took the lead in the 47th minute – July Mahlangu playing in an excellent through-ball to leave Loke one-on-one with Baloyi and the midfielder made no mistake with the finish.
The Brazilians tried their best to get back into the game, but struggled to create any real openings, with Nhleko almost doubling the advantage in the 58th minute with his strike from just inside the box that drew another fine save from Baloyi.
Sundowns best chance came at the death when Thuso Phala dragged his left-footed shot wide to the right from six yards out as Thanda held on for a vital three points.