Triumph brings Royal Zulu closer to PSL

TWO goals in the space of five minutes kept Thanda Royal Zulu’s hopes of promotion to the PSL alive as they beat Santos 2-1 in a promotional play-off match at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town last night.

The first 45 minutes was a rather dull affair with few chances in front of goal.

Both side’s wasted possession and neither team were able to keep hold of the ball for a sustained period of play. Still, Santos were the better of a poor pair as they had the lion’s share of possession in the first stanza.

The People’s Team were able to convert their only chance on goal in the 18th minute when a well-worked corner resulted in Nasief Morris getting ahead of his marker to powerfully head home, unchallenged, from 10 yards out.

Thanda tried to get back in the game, but they struggled to break down a resolute Santos defence.

In their effort to find their way back into the game and unable to break down the home teams’ defence, Thanda shot from long range but with very little effect.

Santos took the lead going into the half time break.

The second half was more enticing than the first and we only had to wait seven minutes after the restart before the game’s second goal.

Thanda showed some real heart and Asanda Mvalo found the equaliser in the 52nd minute with a clinical header.

Thanda confirmed their comeback when Mpho Sitayitayi handed them the lead in the 57th minute with another well-placed header finding the back of the net from 10 yards out.

Nwadike had the chance to put the game beyond doubt in the 80th minute, but he headed straight at the keeper from point blank range. – backpagemedia