Richards Bay climbed to second spot on the DStv Premiership table with a late 1-0 win over KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu on Wednesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 0-1 Richards Bay
Date: 05 October 2022
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Usuthu made wholesale changes from their draw against Kaizer Chiefs, as Sibusiso Mabiliso made his second debut alongside recalls for the likes o Lehlohonolo Majoro, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Ethan Brooks and the return from suspension of Augustine Kwem.
The sides were sizing each other out in the early stages and Kwem had the first opportunity for Usuthu on 16 minutes after he found space in the box fired his shot narrowly wide.
The game could not get going towards the half-hour mark, as AmaZulu were forced to replace Sandile Khumalo due to injury and Mbongeni Gumede took his place.
The Natal Rich Boyz also had a casualty, as Abel Mabaso could not continue and he was replaced by Ndiviwe Mdabuka.
However, Bay had the momentum in the latter phase of the first stanza as Somila Ntsundwana and Sanele Barns had good chances but they were both denied by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Brandon Truter's charges raised their game coming from the half-time break as Kwem threatened within six minutes with a header that was kept out of the bottom corner by shot-stopper Jamal Magoola.
The game opened up and AmaZulu threatened again on the hour-mark after Tercious Malepe's header was smothered by Magoola from a cross by Brooks.
With Richards Bay also coming into the game, the match was momentarily halted with 16 minutes remaining due to thunder and lightning at the stadium, as both set of players reached for the tunnel.
Fortunately the stoppage was not long, as the players had warm-ups and resumed play.
Although the rhythm of the game was affected, Sakhile Hlongwa caught Usuthu cold in stoppage time with a thunderbolt in the box that came off the underside of the crossbar and went in off the backside of Mothwa.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 5. Sikhakhane, 42. Mabiliso, 17. Gumede, 23. Mphahlele, 2. Mobara, 4. Malepe, 12. Maluleka, 18. Brooks, 9. Kwem, 20. Majoro.
Subs: 38. Amonome, 22. Khumalo, 39. Mgwazela, 36. Kunene, 50. Bwalya, 15. Zuma, 13. Mukumela, 10. Maduna, 3. Ndlovu.
Richards Bay: 80. Magoola, 34. Nyauza, 6. Mabaso, 35. Mabua. 25. Mcineka, 12. Mathebula, 10. Memela, 2. Maphathe, 45. Ntsundwana, 30. Barns, 7. Msani.
Subs: 16. Jacobs, 5. Mthethwa, 27. Makateng, 50. Zungu, 20. Mthembu, 14. Majabidou, 8, Mdabuka, 9. Mbuthuma, 15. Hlongwa.
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