Magesi FC extended their winless run to ten games across all competitions after a goalless draw against Richards Bay on Friday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Richards Bay 0-0 Magesi FC
Date: 31 January 2025
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium
Richards Bay brought back goalkeeper Salim Magoola while they dropped Somila Ntsundwana, Yamela Mbuthuma leading the line and supported by Thato Mohlamme instead, as notable changes from the cup defeat against Orlando Pirates.
Magesi, meanwhile, recalled their regulars, the likes of shot-stopper Elvis Chipezeze, Deon Mekoa, Tshepo Kakora and Wonderboy Makhubu who were rested in a 2-0 cup loss to SuperSport United.
Dikwena had a bright start as within the first 14 minutes Makhubu threatened with a strike in the box that missed narrowly wide.
The visitors gained momentum as ten minutes later Mcedi Vandala also had a chance with a strike in the box that was smothered by Magoola.
There was a delay in the game after the half-hour mark due to floodlight problems and the game resumed some 30 minutes thereafter.
The complexion of the game changed for the remainder of the first stanza, as the sides went to the bread deadlocked.
The second stanza took time to get going before Moses Mthembu on the hour-mark threatened for The Natal Rich Boyz with a strike from outside the box that drifted wide.
Ronnie Gabriel showed a sense of urgency to get the breakthrough with 20 minutes to go, as he threw in two strikers Ntsundwana and Justice Figuareido, who both came on for Thulani Gumede and Mohlamme.
The hosts continued to pressurize Magesi, who were sitting deep, in the closing stages but and Chipezeze earned a point for Magesi in added time after he denied Ntsundwana from close-range.
Richards Bay extended their winless run to three games in the league while the Limpopo side are yet to win since beating Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout final in November.
Here's how they line up:
Richards Bay: 16. Magoola, 22. Mabuya, 3. Ndaba, 5. Allan, 25. Mcineka, 17. Gumede, 21. Mhlongo, 9. Mbuthuma, 36. Zikhali, 7. Mohlamme
Subs: 1. Otieno, 72. Mabua, 33. Ngema, 38. Dlamini, 20. Mthembu, 35. Ndelu, 23. Figareido, 27. Bomelo, 45. Ntsundwana
Magesi: 1. Chipezeze, 3. Buthelezi, 30. Motsepe, 26. Mtshali, 34. Mokone, 28. Mekoa, 16. Kakora, 41. Makhubu, 36. Vandala, 37. Sibanyoni, 25. Abrahams
Subs: 24. Tshabalala, 88. Makhubela, 17. Moshwana, 18. Rademeyer, 19. Manzini, 12. Baloyi, 4. Makgoga, 15. Masegela, 8. Mokone
