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Matchday 30 - Report

Thanda Royal Zulu 0 - Maritzburg Utd 0

DURBAN, May 09 (Absa Premier League) - Thanda Royal Zulu will have to face a relegation play-off after failing to overcome Maritzburg United in their final Absa Premier League encounter in Durban on Saturday.
The Amabhubesi, who went into the game needing victory to secure their status, battled throughout the 90 minutes, and despite creating opportunities, failed to break down a dogged visiting defence.
In the end, Mlungisi Ngubane‚s team could only manage a goalless draw in Hammarsdale, which moved them level on points with Bloemfontein Celtic, who lost 5-1 to Free State Stars and ended with 33 points.
But Siwelele‚s superior goal-difference helped them finish in 14th place, one place better than Thanda and our boys must now enter into a four-team play-off with First Division sides FC Cape Town, Mpumalanga Black Aces and either Jomo Cosmos or Carara Kicks.
It was a disappointing end to the normal season for the home side, whose coach Ngubane promised to take the game to their neighbours.
They started off promisingly at the Mpumalanga Stadium with Nkosinathi Nhleko twice coming close in the opening
First the big striker headed Musa Nyatama‚s free-kick from the right narrowly wide and then one of the best chance of the game a clear-cut chance from the centre of the penalty area ˆ was slammed against cross-bar.
The game continued to be battled out in the midfield with both sides surprisingly opting to take a negative approach, rather than a positive one.
Five minutes before the break Nhleko finally managed to test Michel Babale for the first time with his 12-yard effort, but this time his shot lacked power and was straight at the Maritzburg goalkeeper.
At the other end, the visitors almost scored with their first opportunity on the stroke of half time, a point-blank shot by Kulegani Madondo somehow kept out by Aubrey Mathibe.
After the restart, Fanyana Dhladhla blasted wide for Gordon Igesund‚s side, with Phil Evans‚ shot taking the same path for Thanda.
And Maritzburg continued to look the better side after that with Dhladhla and Madondo creating openings, only to be let down by poor finishing.
The closest our boys came to hitting the target was when Nhleko directed a powerful goal-bound header, which was cleared off the line by Ellias Ngwepe as the game petered out to a draw.