Thanda & Leopards Draw, Chasing Pack All Lose
Thanda Royal Zulu
While National First Division log leaders and second-placed Black Leopards played to a 1-1 draw, the chasing pack of Stellenbosch, Royal Eagles and Mthatha Bucks all lost vital matches. In addition, University of Pretoria bounced back with a good 2-0 win over doomed Santos, while Magesi FC stunned Jomo Cosmos by the same score. The Amabhubhesi/Lidoda Duvha clash in Richards Bay was an exciting end- to-end encounter in which both sides enjoyed chances to win yet ultimately had to settle for a point each. Thanda's leading marksman, Mhlengi Cele, grabbed his sixteenth goal of the season following a hard drive which entered Leopards' net off the post. Leopards fought back to split the Amabhubhesi defence but a good save from Xolani Ngcobo kept the score at 1-0 until just before the break when Jean Muganga equilised. He was in the right place at the right time to smash home a rebound. Lowly Mbombela United showed Stellenbosch who was best in Mpumalanga with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Their hero was Inky Masuku with two goals, including a penalty. High-flying Eagles had a setback at the Harry Gwala Stadium following a 3-1 loss to AmaZulu. Roggert Nyundu opened the scoring in the 4th minute for Usuthu prior to Sedwyn George making it 1-1. This fiery KZN derby produced lots of action with further goals from Augustine Ramphele and Ovidy Karuru, which means that AmaZulu leapfrogged from 6th position into 3rd. Milano United recorded a shock 2-0 victory over Mthatha Bucks. Their goal scorers were Dillan Solomons and Slovo Mrawu (his second in successive games). Last-placed Santos have an even higher mountain to climb after AmaTuks' Ryan Chapman smashed home a well-deserved brace at Athlone Stadium. The once-famous People's Team currently sit four points behind Magesi FC, who surprisingly overpowered Jomo Cosmos with two first-half efforts from Thembisani Nevhulamba. The match between Real Kings and Cape Town All Stars ended goalless, while FC Cape Town picked up a valuable point on the road against Witbank Spurs. Siyavutha took an early lead via Bongane Mathabela before Lucky Mathosi levelled matters for the African Beasts.
