Premier Soccer League Promotion Play-Offs
Result: Royal Eagles 1-0 Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila
Date: 15 May 2019
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Royal Eagles got their Premier Soccer League promotional play-off campaign off to a positive start after overcoming Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) on Wednesday afternoon.
Eagles made three changes in Mphakamiseni Nene, Sabata Mosebo and Sonke Ntuli. TTM went for one change in Mboniseni Mbandlwa. Bafana Nhlapo's side were rewarded for their positive start on 22 minutes when Strydom Wambi leaped high at the near post to head in a corner. TTM pushed forth afterwards and found their first shot on target 25 minutes in through Mbandlwa, but goalkeeper Patrick Nyame smothered the threat. High-pressing from Thembiseni Nevhulamba forced Nyame to cede possession to the Eagles striker, who applied a poor finish over two minutes to halftime. TTM made the first change of the afternoon at the restart, with veteran forward Edward Mnqele hauled on for Mbandlwa. Eagles were pinned back in the earlier minutes, but Nyame staved off every probable threat coming their way. The best chance for Eagles came after 71 minutes through Mnqele's curler 10 yards outside the area, which Nyame turned over for a corner. More defensive tasks came the way of Eagles, as Nyame tipped Phumelele Bhengu's shot from the right 78 minutes in for a corner. From the corner, Eagles rallied on to the goal-line to clear Happy Mashau's glancing header from reaching the net. TTM kept pushing for an equaliser, but were almost caught out at the death when Diego Brown missed a clear one-on-one chance from a counterattack. In the end, Eagles start the journey to the top-flight on a positive note ahead of Sunday's provincial derby with Maritzburg United.Here's how they lined up:
Eagles: Nyame, Cele, Manganyi, Shezi, Mashiane, Mosebo, Ntuli, Nene, Bakah, Wambi, Zulu. TTM: Mamudzoi, Mashau, Mohloding, Makgoka, Mabotja, Nevhulamba, Khumalo, Mgaga, Nhlapo, Mbandlwa, Bhengu. 
