Play Off - Semi Final - Second Leg - Report
FC Cape Town 1 - Thanda Royal Zulu 1
CAPE TOWN, May 28 (Absa Premier League) – Felix Obada scored what turned out to be the decisive goal as Thanda Royal Zulu scraped into the relegation play-off final despite only coming away with a draw against FC Cape Town on Thursday.
Mlungisi Ngubane’s team, who drew the semi-final first leg 0-0 at the SJ Smith Stadium in Durban, fell behind after just 12 minutes in the return tie courtesy of an Ashley Hartog strike.
But Nigerian Obada managed to capitalise on sloppy passing before the half-hour mark – a goal that turned out to be the difference as the Amabhubesi progressed to the final on the away goals rule.
FC Cape Town coach Johnny Ferreira looked to have fired his team nicely in the build-up and so it proved, with Hartog and Morne Davids combining nicely for the opening goal, which came with a perfectly delivered corner from the latter that was headed in.
FC Cape Town continued to press forward, but an error in midfield 15 minutes later proved crucial.
Winger Obada was the benefactor as he raced down the right, before cutting inside and sent a powerful shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The home side, though, continued to play positively and were almost rewarded for their efforts when the ball came to Davids, who failed to hit the target with his strike, as both sides went into the break level at 1-1.
Immediately after the restart, Emmanuel Emenike had the best chance of the second half to extend the lead.
The FC Cape Town attacker was played into the penalty area nicely from midfield, but could not beat Aubrey Mathibe with his tame shot.
The visitors also seemed to have upped their game, with Obada again coming close, followed by James Madidilani drawing a sprawling save from the home goalkeeper that was somehow scrambled over.
And with Ferreira knowing that a score draw would not be good enough, he threw plenty more men forward, with Marchelino Fransch and Emenike coming close at the death.
The best chance falling to Fransch, who should have found the target three minutes from time, as Thanda held on for a win, which will now see them face Mpumalanga Black Aces in a two-legged final.