Moroka Swallows ended a run of poor results and kept their hopes alive of finishing in the top eight when they scored a 3-1 win over relegation haunted Thanda Royal Zulu in their Absa Premiership clash played at the Germiston Stadium on Sunday.
The result leaves Thanda on 26 points - one ahead of second from bottom Bloemfontein Celtic who drew 1-1 in a tough battle against Orlando Pirates at the Free State Stadium on Sunday.
Bottom of the log Bay United, who did not play at the weekend, have 20 points with all three relegation candidates left with five fixtures to complete their programme.
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There was not a lot of excitement for the paltry crowd in a dull first half in which neither goalkeeper, Birds Greg Etafia nor Aubrey Mathibe had any real saves to make. Mathibe did, however, have to take the ball out of his net after the home side took the lead in the 33rd minute - a goal which finally brought some life to proceedings.
The first 45 minutes lacked urgency. Thanda did not play like a team fighting relegation while the Birds did not look interested in regaining their place in the top eight.
That was until Birds' budding teenage star Thulani Ngcepe broke the deadlock with a well taken goal after a pin point cross from Mark Haskins in the 33rd minute.
The 19-year-old Brakpan born Ngcepe looked the liveliest player in the first half. He got into good positions on a couple of occasions but over eagerness saw him waste possession. But this youngster, who has already played for his country at SA under-17 and SA under-20 level, looks a future prospect.
Earlier, TRZ had two half chances when Felix Obada and Nkosinathi Nhleko both shot wide in the 14th and 22nd minutes respectively. But on the balance of play in the first half, the Birds deserved to change over 1-0 ahead.
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