Thanda Royal Zulu's bid to stay clear of the relegation zone took a knock when they lost 2-0 to Free State Stars at the Goble Park Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The result leaves Thanda a single point above 15th placed Bloemfontein Celtic, who play BidVest Wits in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

Stars were the better side in the first half and were unlucky not to go into the break a goal to the good after former Sundowns and Pirates striker Paulus Masehe hit the bar in the 41st minute.

The home side started in a positive vein as Sthembiso Ngcobo (seventh minute) and Ruben Cloete (23rd minute) fired shots over the bar.

'Amabhubesi's only opportunities in the first 45 minutes were limited to long range shots by Felix Obada and Nkosinathi Nhleko, both of which were saved by Stars shot stopper Kennedy Mweene.

'Ea Lla Koto' piled pressure on the visitor's goal in the minutes leading up to the half time break, creating chances through Matome Madimabe and Ngcobo, none of whom were able to break the deadlock.

Ngcobo had the first chance of the second half when he headed wide of goal from 12-yards out after a Cloete cross.

Stars continued to be the dominant side when it came to creating chances and three minutes later Thamane Motaung looked to make his mark on the game, but failed to find the target with a shot from just outside the area.

Goal scoring opportunities remained rare for both sides, until nine minutes from time, when Motaung made no mistake in netting from close range after Prince Olomu had supplied the cross.

The match ended on a sour note for the KZN side as Bongani Mbhele was red-carded.

But worse was to come for Thanda as Ngcobo added a second goal just before the final whistle with a well taken 18-yard strike.

The teams:

Free State Stars: Mweene, Matola, Mensah, Nkosi, Mabaso, Cloete, Madimabe (Tsotetsi 58), Mdluli, Mofokeng (Motaung 47), Ngcobo, Masehe (Olomu 66).

Thanda Royal Zulu: Mathibe, Madidilani, Muhammed, Rammile, Motale, Mbhele, Nyatama (Evans 67), Obada, Kibe (Hadebe 82), Mahlangu (Mulenga 54), Nhleko.

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