Richards Bay FC and AmaZulu FC faced each other in the KwaZulu-Natal derby on Sunday afternoon, with the Natal Rich Boyz securing a point after snatching an equaliser in the dying stages of the second half.
The hosts were boosted by the return of striker Somila Ntsundwana, while AmaZulu were without George Maluleka due to suspension and his place was filled by Rally Bwalya, with Junior Dion leading the attack.
⚽️️ Richards Bay 1️⃣-1️⃣ AmaZulu
Katleho Maphathe”90
90 minutes NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/0oCcncBnbA— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) January 29, 2023
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. However, they were eventually rewarded just after the half-hour mark after Thabo Qalinge finished off a cross by Dion in the box.
Richards Bay looked for a change of fortunes going forward with a change in attack at halftime as Yamela Mbuthuma replaced Katleho Makateng. However, they 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.
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.
The draw saw Richards Bay move two points clear of third-placed SuperSport in second place on the log.
