Richards Bay took an outright lead in the PSL promotion-relegation play-offs standings after a goalless draw against Baroka on Saturday afternoon.
PSL Promotion Play-Offs
Result: Baroka FC 0-0 Richards Bay FC
Date: 08 June 2024
Venue: Global Stadium
The Natal Rich Boyz made two changes following their narrow win over University of Pretoria, as Sibusiso Mthethwa and Romario Dlamini were recalled.
New interim coach at Baroka, Morgan Mammila made three changes from the team that lost against AmaTuks, as he recalled Tshediso Patjie, Kabelo Kgositsile and goalkeeper Katlego Molefe.Chances were very few and far between in the early stages, as neither team took the game by the scruff of the neck.
However, Richards Bay gained momentum towards the half-hour mark as Somila Ntsundwana came very close to breaking the deadlock with a strike at the near post that was smothered by Molefe from point-blank range.
Vusumuzi Vilakazi's charges continued to have the upper hand in the latter phase of the first stanza but they only threatened from shots that were from outside the box and the sides went to the interval deadlocked.
Bakgaga came into the game from the break although they only came close to going ahead around the hour-mark after Siyabonga Mtombeni had a shot that sailed just over the crossbar after going through on goal.
Buoyed by the home crowd, Mammila's men continued to pressurize Richards Bay and threatened to get on the scoresheet.
The Limpopo side looked to put more pressure on their visitors with 18 minutes remaining, as Dan Ndhlovu replaced Kgosietsile.
However, Vilakazi's troops put up a fight in the closing stages, as the game was on the edge and in the end the sides shared the spoils.
Richards Bay went one point clear at the top of the standings while Bakgaga picked up their first point.
The Limpopo side will be back in action against University of Pretoria on Wednesday afternoon.
Here's how they line up:
Baroka: Molefe, Mashiloane, Sikhosana, Malivha, Sithole, Kgositsile, Mathiane, Mtombeni, Patjie, Nonyane, Madingwana
Subs: Pule, Shozi, Ntsoane, Mogale, Ndhlovu, Selemela, Lekoloane, Mangoale, Nyundu
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Mabua, Mthethwa, Mcineka, Malepe, Dlamini, Barns, Mbuthuma, Mthembu, Ntsundwana
Subs: Jacobs, Mhlongo, Makhubela, Figareido, Ndaba, Gumede, Myaba, Komane, Makateng
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