Things are quickly going from bad to worse in the Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) camp. Not only did the team lose three matches in a row within the space of 10 days, but Vhadau vha Damani conceded 11 goals in the three matches.
TTM started the new year with a 1-7 defeat at the hands of Cape Town All Stars in their Nedbank Cup qualification-round match that was played on Friday, 6 January. They lost 0-2 to the same team in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match that was played at the Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg last Saturday. As if that were not enough to dent the club's image, TTM suffered another 1-2 defeat at the hands of University of Pretoria FC in their league match that was played at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The team's head coach, Mr Lucky Nelukau, is optimistic that TTM will gain promotion at the end of the season. He admitted that the past three months had been difficult for everyone in the club. According to him, the dust has now settled and business is continuing as usual in the team's camp.
The result of their game on Tuesday against the University of Pretoria was not a true reflection of the game. TTM squandered numerous scoring chances in the game.
The wheel of fortune turned against TTM nine minutes before the referee, Ms Lindiwe Chamane, blew the half-time whistle. Amatuks were awarded a penalty after the former Black Leopards' striker, Rodney Ramagalela, was brought down within the box. The team's captain, Samuel Julies, blasted in a rocket to bring the half-time score to 1-0.
The visitors increased the margin when Ramagalela capitalised on a clearing error and beat the keeper with a half volley.
TTM's solitary goal came via Asithandile Fani in the 64th minute. He caught the keeper napping with a close-range strike.