New Thanda Royal Zulu coach Professor Ngubane could not have asked for a better start to his new career as his relegation haunted side eared themselves a lifeline when they scored a 1-0 win over a disappointing Mamelodi Sundowns at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammersdale on Wednesday afternoon.

Ngubane was brought into to replace Roger Palmgren and Ngubane, who twice saved Bush Bucks from relegation, looks to have weaved his magic again.

Thanda were full value for their win and could have won by a bigger margin had they taken the chances they created. The winning goal came from Bernard Loke in the 47th minute.

TRZ are out of the relegation zone with 29 points with three fixtures to play and have put the pressure on second bottom Bloemfontein Celtic who are away to Cape Town's Santos on Friday night.

But for 'Downs caretaker coach Ted Dumitru, who is winless after two games in charge, it is back to the drawing board. His side were poor in front of goal and after two games in charge he has only a 0-0 draw against Platinum Stars. But what is worrying is the fact his side have failed to score against two lower league sides.

Thanda showed a lot of improvement especially in defence where Ngubane brought in Ivan Winstanley for his debut after signing on a free transfer earlier this year to help bolster the side that has already conceded a massive 52 goals this season.

Both sides were guilty of poor finishing especially Sundowns who impressed in some good build up only to waste the chances they created. 'Downs crafty midfielder Benedict Vilakazi carved out the first chance of the game in the 13th minute when his clever chip found Surprise Moriri but the 'Downs leading scorer wasted the chance by hitting a powder puff shot from close range at keeper Aubrey Mathibe.

Two minutes later TRZ's Nigerian midfielder headed Loke's cross over the 'Downs crossbar.

Then it was 'Downs Thando Mngomeni's turn to shoot wide of goal.

'Downs veteran goalkeeper Brian Baloyi did well to block TRZ's bustling striker Nkosinathi Nhleko's shot in the 19th minute and from the rebound TRZ skipper July Mahlangu blasted wide with the goal at his mercy.

'Downs striker Katlego Mphela who had a quiet first half had a shot deflected in the 23rd minute. Then came the miss of the half when 'Downs midfielder Bongane Twala had the goal at his mercy only to boot the ball well wide of the TRZ goal.

Mphela shot over the crossbar in the 38th minute and at the other end Obada shaved the woodwork with a shot a minute from the break.

After the break TRZ took charge and Loke did brilliantly to run onto a through ball from Mahlangu and chip the ball over the advancing Baloyi's head two minutes after the restart.

But 'Downs suffered another blow when their captain Michael Manzini was stretched off with a fractured knee cap and at 36 his career looks to be over.

Loke almost made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute but his shot went narrowly past the post. Then Baloyi pulled off a stunning save for a powerful shot from Nhleko in the 58th minute as TRZ looked for the second goal.

Loke was running his socks off and shot wide after picking up a great back pass from Nhleko on 72 minutes.

'Downs huffed and puffed but were not convincing in front of goal. Mphela missed a sitter in the 78th minute when he ballooned a golden chance over the crossbar.

Substitute Thuso Phala wasted two chances in the 89th minute when he shot wide when it looked easier to score and again in the dying seconds of injury time he wasted a chance to snatch a last gasp equaliser.

Sapa

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