Thanda defeat the Mighty Amakhosi

Gert Schalkwyk continued his good form, scoring for Chiefs early in the second half, while a Bernard Parker brace sealed the points for the visitors.

The home side started the game without Itumeleng Khune and Valery Nahayo – both on the bench – while Thanda gave a run to new signing Peter Ndlovu, who came on as a second half substitute.

Thanda came at Chiefs in the first period, and opened the scoring through Parker on 20 minutes. Chiefs came back at the visitors, with chances for Schalkwyk, Thuso Phala and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, but Thanda held out for a 1-0 lead going into the break.

Chiefs came back just after half time, with a goal from Schalkwyk, but they didn’t stay level for long, as Thanda went back ahead through a Parker penalty on 55 minutes, and held on for a win.

Siphiwe Tshabalala had the first real opportunity of the game in the eighth minute, when Letsholonyane sent in a cross from the right and set him up on the far post, but the winger’s shot flashed wide.

Thanda followed with some good attempts, the first a long-range attempt from Obada. A few minutes later Tsotetsi brought down Parker on the edge of the area to win a free-kick. Madidilane’s resulting shot was stopped by Emille Baron, and Parker hit the rebound wide for a goal-kick.

Parker then opened the scoring for Thanda on 20 minutes. The new club captain played a neat one-two with Norman Smith before banging the ball home low and hard past the hapless Baron.

Chiefs hit back with a number of chances, and were all over the visiting team, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

First, Schalkwyk came close with a diving header after a lofted pass from Phala in the 28th minute. Then Letsholonyane’s long-range shot hit the crossbar half an hour in after a good, speedy run by David Mathebula.

Amakhosi came close again on 43 minutes, when Phala directed Tshabalala’s excellent cross just wide.

Finally, Letsholonyane came close with a free header just before the break – after a cross from Tshabalala – but he hit wide and Thanda finished the half 1-0 up.

They didn’t stay up for long, however, as two minutes into the second half Chiefs’ pressure paid off.

Letsholonyane sent a great cross into Schalkwyk, and this time the on-form striker’s powerful diving header was too much for Thanda keeper Aubrey Mathibe.

Letsholonyane followed up with a couple of long-range efforts, but the tables turned again on 55 minutes, when Thanda were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box on Smith by Quartey. Parker put his first attempt away, but it was ruled out by the referee.

His second attempt stood, however, and Thanda went back in the lead.

Chiefs quietened down somewhat after the penalty, and Thanda came close through chances from Parker, whose stylish shot on the turn went just wide, and Ndlovu, who had a chance from a cross only seconds after coming on as a substitute.

With seconds remaining in the Katlego Loke had a chance to put Thanda 3-1 up, but Baron pulled off a great reflex save to deny the substitute, and the game ended 2-1 to Thanda – their second win in a row over the mighty Amakhosi.

In the post-match interview Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral said it was “back to the drawing board” for him, as “his grandmother in a wheelchair” could have put away some of the chances his team had missed.