High-flying Richards Bay FC struck in the dying stages of the second half to secure a point against AmaZulu in the KwaZulu-Natal derby on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership Report:
Result: Richards Bay 1-1 AmaZulu FC
Date: 29 January 2023
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
The Natal Rich Boyz were boosted by the return of striker Somila Ntsundwana, who was shadowed by Luvuyo Memela up top.
AmaZulu, meanwhile, were without George Maluleka due to suspension and his place was filled by Rally Bwalya, with Junior Dion leading the attack.
Usuthu were on the front foot in the opening exchanges and Ramahlwe Mphahlele came close to giving them the lead on 20 minutes with a clever back-heel at the near post that caused goalkeeper Salim Magoola all sorts of problems before he managed to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Richards Bay continued to sit deep as they soaked up the pressure but they were eventually punished just after the half-hour mark after Thabo Qalinge finished off a cross by Dion in the box.
The hosts got out of their defensive shell and Memela fancied his chance shortly before the interval with a cracking shot from just out of the box that was smothered by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Richards Bay looked for a change of fortunes going forward with a change in attack at halftime as Yamela Mbuthuma replaced Katleho Makateng.
However, the Natal Rich Boyz struggled to create openings, as Usuthu defended in numbers and were only able to get close to equalising on 74 minutes after Ntsundwana received a cut-back unmarked in the box but his shot towards the gaping net came off the crossbar.
Romain Folz looked to consolidate the game in the dying minutes with fresh legs, as Bonginkosi Ntuli replaced Dion up top and Keagan Buchanan came on for Hendrick Ekstein for solidity in midfield.
The Natal Rich Boyz had the momentum in the tail end and Katlego Maphathe eventually snatched the equaliser at the death with a looping strike from a scramble in the box.
Richards Bay moved two points clear of third-placed SuperSport in second place on the log.
Here's how they lined up:
Richards Bay: 80. Magoola, 2. Maphathe, 7. Msani, 35. Mabua, 34. Nyauza, 6. Mabaso, 30. Barns, 20. Mthembu, 45. Ntsundwana, 10. Memela, 27. Makateng
Subs: 16. Jacobs, 3. Shabalala, 15. Hlongwa, 50. Zungu, 4. Mtolo, 14. Majadibodu, 21. Mhlongo, 9. Mbuthuma, 22. Mabuya
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 5. Sikhakhane, 14. Hanamub, 23. Mphahlele, 2. Mobara, 4. Malepe, 50. Bwalya, 27. Ekstein, 47. Qalinge, 33. Dion, 15. Zuma
Subs: 30. February, 17. Gumede, 42. Mabiliso, 24. Zulu, 45. Buchanan, 3. Ndlovu, 35. Manziba, 10. Maduna, 7. Ntuli
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