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Richards Bay out to maintain fine run with Swallows win

football30 December 2022 14:44| © Backpage TXT
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Luvuyo Memela © Gallo Images

Richards Bay will face off with Swallows FC in a DStv Premiership encounter at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

The Natal Rich Boys are looking to maintain their fairytale run in their debut season in the elite league, as they are undefeated in their last eight matches in the competition.

The KwaZulu-Natal side is placed second on the league standings - five points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and two points above fourth-placed Kaizer Chiefs.

Richards Bay co-head coach Vasili Manousakis was disappointed to see his side fail to kill off the match in their last league game before the break as they drew 3-3 with Chippa United on 30 October.

"After we got the third goal we should have gotten the fourth one to make it 4-1 and be completely out of sight," Manousakis said.

"There were many of those moments, but we didn't take those opportunities and we let them through the backdoor. Out of the two teams they are definitely the happier."

Meanwhile, Swallows will be looking to continue from where they had left off before the break, as they are undefeated in their last three matches in the DStv Premiership.

Amaswaiswai are placed 14th on the league standings - two points above the relegation zone and the club has since appointed Ernst Middendorp as their new head coach.

Swallows fought back to hold SuperSport United to a 1-1 draw in their last league game on 30 October and assistant coach Musa Nyatama was pleased to see his charges execute their game plan.

"We fought. It is unfortunate that we couldn't win the game. But the execution of our game plan was good," Nyatama said.

"We knew that they were going to attempt to score from crosses or set-pieces. I am just disappointed with the set-piece we conceded from. But going forward the guys will learn."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richards Bay

Luvuyo Memela: The experienced winger, who has a knack for creating and scoring goals, grabbed an assist against Chippa. Memela has the ability to single-handedly inspire the Rich Boys to a win over Swallows.

Somila Ntsundwana: The towering marksman grabbed a brace against Chippa to take his tally to three goals in the current campaign and he will be looking to use his physicality and towering prowess to unsettle the Swallows defence.

Swallows FC

Lindokuhle Mtshali: The diminutive attacker grabbed a morale-boosting goal against SuperSport and it was his first goal of the season. Mtshali's explosive runs and dribbling skills will create problems for the Richards Bay backline.

Mwape Musonda: The Zambia international was slowly regaining his old form before the recent break and he is Swallows' top scorer with three goals this term and he could be the man to propel Amaswaiswai to a win in Durban.

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