Thanda colours finally lowered
NFD RACE: SIKHAKANE’S SIDE’S 18-GAME RUN WITHOUT DEFEAT ENDED BY PRETORIA UNIVERSITY
Black Leopards keep up the pressure by beating Spurs.
Thanda Royal Zulu’s impressive run came to an end as University of Pretoria handed Amabhubesi their first defeat of the season on Saturday. Two first-half goals from Broderick Burds and Ryan Chapman were enough to seal a 2-0 win for AmaTuks and end Thanda’s run of 18 games without defeat.
The loss could be a game-changer in the National First Division (NFD) as it opened the way for Thanda’s rivals to close the gap.
Roger Sikhakhane’s team are still top with 40 points, but their lead has been cut to seven points with a resurgent Black Leopards launching their onslaught.
Lidoda Duvha continued their winning streak, beating Witbank Spurs 1-0 in Polokwane and remain in second place with 33 points.
Leopards playmaker Siphelele Ntshangase said the win was another step in the right direction for the Polokwane giants.
“It’s another good victory, another great feeling as we move on,” said the former Bafana Bafana player.
“Our expectations are higher than this, but it’s nice to be sure we’re actually going in the right direction,” he added.
Lidoda Duvha have found a new lease of life under Belgian Jean-Francois Losciuto, have climbed to second spot and look a serious threat to Thanda’s throne.
AmaZulu meanwhile could not honour Cedric Xulu with a win as they were held by neighbours Real Kings to a 2-2 draw.
Usuthu had organised an event to honour Xulu, who is battling prostate cancer and the club are reported to have raised about R128 000.
The supporters will however not be happy that the team failed to pocket three points which leaves them in eighth place, with their chances of winning the NFD and gaining automatic promotion to the Absa Premiership diminishing.
Coach Joey Antipas admitted the team didn’t follow the script.
“It did not go according to script but a point is a point. I’d say that once again the fight back in the second half was a good fight back, but it’s really worrying the amount of goals we’re conceding.”
It’s another good victory, another great feeling as we move on.