The first stanza was not the most exciting, as neither side was really able to take the match by the scruff of the neck.
Instead both sides seemed content to play rather tentatively as neither wanted to concede the first goal in this two-legged match, especially the home side, with the away goal rule in effect.
Still, Thanda did have the better of the play in the opening 45 minutes, but they failed to take their chances in front of goal. United, on the other hand, did not pose any real threat.
In the 10th minute Siyabonga Pela pulled the best out of United's goalkeeper when he let rip with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Maruma, though, was up to the task and made a brilliant save diving to his right to tip the effort over the bar.
In the 30th minute Thanda again caused problems for the United defence when a quick counter-attack down the right saw a cross come in. Matondo rose to meet it, but his 10-yard header went inches wide of the target.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Thanda controlled the flow of the game and United looked content to keep a clean-sheet.
There were no real clear-cut chances in the second 45 minutes as both teams were woeful in attack.
In the 78th minute, though, United substite Sikhwivhuli drove into the box, beating three defenders before shooting, but Oscar Ramagoadi produced a good save diving to his right.
That was about the only decent chance of the half. It was a poor display by both teams as they played way too tentatively. They will meet again on Saturday and all will be hoping for an improved performance from both teams.
BackpageTxt
Your comments on this story...