Eagles edge past TTM in playoffs opener

Royal Eagles drew first blood in the Absa Premiership/ National First Division promotion-relegation playoffs, beating Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 1-0 at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Wednesday.

Strydom Wambi scored the only goal of the game, in a clash largely dominated by the visitors, who finished behind Eagles on the NFD standings this season.

The forward rose highest from a pin-point corner-kick to nod home the playoffs' opener following a sustained spell of pressure in the 22nd minute.

TTM, though, took control of the clash soon after and should've levelled matters on the cusp of halftime following a mistake from Patrick Nyame. Thembisani Nevhulamba stripped the Eagles goalkeeper of the ball, but failed to convert his resulting shot.

Edward Manqele almost made the desired impact off the bench following the interval, but Nyame pulled off a superb save to keep out the former Mamelodi Sundowns forward's curling effort with 72 minutes on the clock.

Nyame was at it again six minutes later, this time to deny Phumelele Bhengu's powerful shot from an acute angle from flying into the back of the net.

Sabata Mosebo was then well positioned to keep out Bhengu's towering header from the resulting corner-kick, as Eagles continued to thwart a relentless TTM unit.

The hosts had a chance to put the game beyond any reasobaqle doubt as Diego Brown darted through on goal, but he could only succeed in pushing his attempt wide. It mattered little, though, as Eagles held on for all three points.

Next up, Maritzburg United will play host to KwaZulu-Natal rivals, Eagles, at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Royal Eagles (1) 1 (Wambi 22')

TTM (0) 0

Royal Eagles: Nyame, Cele, Manganyi, Shezi, Mashiane (Brown 66'), Mosebo, Ntuli (Fikizolo 88'), Nene, Bakah, Wambi, Zulu (Booysen 87').

TTM: Mamudzdi; Mashau, Mohloding, Makgoga, Mabotja, Nevhulamba, Khumalo, Mgaga, Nhlapo (Ononogbu 78'), Mbandlwa (Manqele 46'), Bhengu.