Richards Bay FC moved further away from the relegation zone in the Betway Premiership after defeating Cape Town City 1-0 on Friday night.
Betway Premiership
Report: Richards Bay 1-0 Cape Town City
Date: 18 April 2025
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
City interim coach Diogo Peral made one change from the loss to Sekhukhune United a couple weeks ago, as Haashim Domingo returned to the starting line-up to replace Amadou Soukouna.
The Citizens came into this encounter winless in their last 12 league encounters, while the Natal Rich Boyz were aiming to end a run of back-to-back defeats.
Both sides were desperate to claim the spoils in their bid to move away from the relegation zone, but they struggled to carve out any clear-cut openings in the opening 20 minutes of the first half.
Unfortunately for the supporters in attendance, that proved to be the trend for the remainder of the first half as City's Darren Keet and Richards Bay's Ian Otieno were barely troubled in the opening 45 minutes.
There was a big delay to the start of the second half due to a floodlight issue at the stadium, with the Citizens refusing to take the field unless the issue was taken care of.
The game eventually resumed after around 20 minutes but it was more of the same in the second period, as the away side dominated possession without creating many clear-cut chances.
Both sides responded with changes after the hour mark as City introduced Kamohelo Mokotjo and Kayden Francis for Domingo and Tshegofatso Nyama, while Richards Bay withdrew Somila Ntsundwana for Wandile Ngema.
However, Richards Bay bagged the opening goal against the run of play on 79 minutes when a swift counter attack ended with Thulani Gumede latching onto a through-ball from Ngema before firing into the top corner.
City threw everything forward in search of the equaliser in the closing stages, but the Natal Rich Boyz remained resolute in defence and held on for the win to move four points clear of the play-off spot while City remain in 14th spot.
Here's how they lined up:
Richards Bay: 1. Otieno, 5. Allan, 3. Ndaba, 72. Mabua, 25. Mcineka, 6. Mthethwa, 17. Gumede, 36. Zikhali, 9. Mbuthuma, 27. Bomelo, 45. Ntsundwana
Subs: 16. Magoola, 2. Gcaba, 33. Ngema, 11. Kutumela, 13. Mdunge, 29. Macuphu, 37. Zulu, 35. Ndelu, 21. Mhlongo
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 25. Gordinho, 14. Idumba, 11. Nyama, 4. Petrus, 93. Makaringe, 55. Amato, 10. Domingo, 20. Darwin, 23. Rhodes
Subs: 47. Oliaro, 58. Dondolo, 12. Mokotjo, 26. Nodada, 27. Goedeman, 9. Soukouna, 24. Francis, 8. Serero, 57. Bezuidenhout
