Baroka and Richards Bay play out stalemate

Baroka FC and Richards Bay played out a goalless stalemate in a PSL Playoff match at the Global Stadium in Lebowakgoma on Saturday afternoon.

The result leaves the Natal Rich Boyz at the top of the three-team log with four points after two complete rounds.

The University of Pretoria have three points and Bakgaga have one point.

Richards Bay established themselves as the dominant force in the match, but had to wait until the 28th minute to offer a genuine threat at goal, with Somila Ntsundwana doing great work down the left flank before being denied from a tight angle by Baroka goalkeeper Katlego Molefe.

The hosts enjoyed a fair amount of the ball, but lacked any real attacking penetration.

Bay were happy to concede space down the flanks, confident that a packed central defence could cut out any potential service to Sekela Sithole and Siyabonga Mtombeni.

Goalless at the break, Baroka gave it 10 minutes of the second half before swopping out Tshediso Patjie in favour of rising star Khomotso Lekoloane.

Bay made a double change on the hour mark, with Justice Figuareido and Khuda Muyaba coming off the bench, and they soon came close to breaking the deadlock via Sanele Barns, who was denied by a fine save from Molefe.

Bakgaga’s Lekoloane had his team’s best goal attempt on 78 minutes, driving a long-range effort narrowly off target, as the hosts became increasingly desperate to force the issue.

And the Natal Rich Boyz nearly snatched a goal at the other end five minutes later, with Figuareido latching onto a loose ball in the penalty area and driving a low effort on target, but Molefe was once again equal to the task.

Ultimately the teams settled for a share of the spoils – a valuable away points for Richards Bay in their attempt to retain their top-flight status, while the hosts will feel a sense of an opportunity having slipped away.

The next PSL Playoff fixture sees Baroka host the University of Pretoria at the Global Stadium on Wednesday afternoon (12 June).

Baroka FC 0

Richards Bay 0

Baroka: Molefe, Mashiloane, Mathiane, Nonyane, Kgosietsile (Ndhlovu 73’), Sikhosana, Malivha, Madingwane, Patjie (Lekoloane 55’), Sithole (Selemela 82’), Mtombeni (Mogale 82’)

Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Mthethwa, Mcineka, Mabua, Malepe, Mthembu (Myaba 60’), Dlamini, Barns, Ntsundwana (Gumede 82’), Mbuthuma (Figuareido 60’)