Richards Bay FC moved to the top of the DStv Premiership table after defeating KwaZulu-Natal rivals Royal AM on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Royal AM 0-1 Richards Bay FC
Date: 06 September 2022
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Thwihli Thwahla lined up with a front three of Mfundo Thikazi, Motebang Sera and Kabelo Mahlasela, as Andre De Jong and Ruzaigh Gamildien started from the bench alongside chairman Andile Mpisane, who has taken jersey number one.
Royal AM had a bright start as Thikazi had a chance to open the scoring after going clear on goal but he was denied by goalkeeper Jamal Magoola from point-blank range.
Richards Bay, who were absorbing the preasure, broke the deadlock from a set-piece situation just before the half-hour mark after Luvuyo Memela fired a rebound after shot-stopper Hugo Nyama failed to deal with ball coming in the box.
With the home side desperate to get back into the game, Abel Mabaso had a big chance to double the lead ten minutes later from a counter-attack after a final pass by Ntsundwana but he dragged his shot wide with only Nyame to beat.
The hosts continued to fashion chances in open play, with Lantshene Phalane coming closest to equalising from free-kick on the edge of the box that came off the top of the crossbar.
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Thwihli Thwahla had a sustained pressure on Richards Bay early in the second stanza as Sera came close to restoring parity on the hour-mark with a close-range strike that was blocked by Magoola after a square pass by Thikazi.
The hosts made an attacking change six minutes later as De Jong replaced Phila Mzila in a tactical switch and the game became transitional.
With Royal AM having the momentum, Mokete Mogaila had a good chance to level matters 20 minutes before time after going through on goal in the box but his looping strike was brilliantly saved by Magoola.
Dan Malesela and Khabo Zondo brought on two strikers in the last quarter of an hour as Gamildien and Sedwyn George joined the firepower upfront.
As the game opened up, Thikazi should have equalised moments later after he evaded his marker in the box but his low drive missed the bottom corner by a whisker.
Royal AM fluffed a big chance in stoppage time from a set-piece on the edge of the box, as Richards Bay held on to claim three points and leapfrogged Royal AM into top spot.
Here's how they lined up:
Royal AM: Nyame, Mabua, Cele, Manganyi, Kobedi, Phalane, Mzila, Mogaila, Mahlasela, Thikazi, Sera
Subs: Ngcobo, Ncobeni, Msomi, Gamildien, Shezi, George, De Jong, Sikakane, A. Mpisane.
Richards Bay: Magoola, Maphathe, Mabua, Mcineka, Nyauza, Mabaso, Barns, Mhlongo, Ntsundwana, Memela, Msani
Subs: Jacobs, Mthethwa, Majabidou, Mthembu, Mdabuka, Makateng, Mbuthuma, Zungu, Mathebula
