Thanda Royal Zulu put in an excellent second half performance to come from behind and beat Moroka Swallows 4-2 in the Absa Premiership at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday.

Goals from Clement Mazibuko (two), Bernard Parker and Nkosinathi Nhleko sealed the points for the home side, while David Radebe and Mark Haskins netted for the visitors.

Swallows made the perfect start when in-form striker Radebe scored his sixth goal of the League season in the first minute. Haskins worked some space and laid on the ball for Radebe, who fired home past home goalkeeper Aubrey Mathibe.

But Thanda were level inside 15 minutes when veteran Mazibuko, who was expertly tee-up by Felix Obada, who crossed low from the byline.

Mazibuko almost scored a second on 26 minutes with a shot from 20 yards that was well-saved by Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia, but just two minutes later the visitors were back in the lead as Haskins volleyed home a Thapelo Mosetlhe cross.

Katlego Loke warmed the palms of Etafia as the first half drew to a close, with the home side finishing the opening period much the stronger.

And they continued where they left off after the break and were back on level terms on 49 minutes. Vinicius da Silva was adjudged to handled just outside the box and Mazibuko netted directly from the free-kick, much to the delight of the sparse home faithful.

Parker, on as a substitute in the 63rd minute, put Thanda in front from the penalty-spot to score his 10th League goal of the season. Once again, Lefu Tsutsulupa was adjudged to have handballed, this time inside the penalty area, and Parker made no mistake three minutes after his introduction.

The points were made safe five from fulltime when Parker set Nhleko free and the burly forward picked his spot to beat Etafia and make the score 4-2.

Thanda will end 2008 with an away trip to fellow KwaZulu-Natal strugglers Maritzburg United on Sunday, while Swallows play host to Bidvest Wits on the same day.