Thanda stretch unbeaten run

THANDA Royal Zulu extended their National First Division unbeaten run to seven games with a 1-0 win over United FC in Rustenburg on Sunday.

Mhleli Cele scored in the 42nd minute to move Thanda one foot out of relegation trouble.

Thanda, guided by Thami Ngubane, could have won by a bigger margin had it not been for the red cards shown to Cele and Thabo Maselwa in the second half.

"I know it's rare where you hear a coach giving credit to a referee when it comes to red cards, but those were legitimate red cards," said Ngubane yesterday.

"I had a meeting with the duo, explaining to them their behaviour was unacceptable. We need to be more disciplined in everything we do to be successful as a team."

Turning to the win over the North West-based side guided by former Lesotho senior national team coach Leslie Nosi, Ngubane said: "It was one of the toughest matches, considering we finished with nine men.

"We need two more victories, then I will safely say we are finally out of relegation and can start preparing the team for next season. Right now it's only one leg out."

Meanwhile, Baroka FC reclaimed second position following a 2-1 win over Warriors in Namahadi, Free State, on the same day.

The Limpopo outfit were the first to draw blood through Thabo Ralebekeng in the 25th minute, with Thabiso Kutumela doubling the lead in the 44th minute.

Vincent Pule pulled one back for Warriors.