Sekhukhune United returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership this weekend after claiming the scalp of Richards Bay in a 2-0 win at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.
Sekhukhune applied pressure as soon as the referee blew the first-half whistle, with the hosts forcing a corner in the third minute. With the ball whipped in by Mashikinya, Cardoso’s header went narrowly wide of the target.
Babina Noko created another goalscoring chance soon thereafter, this time with Mahlangu’s shot whistling over the crossbar.
With 10 minutes on the clock, Sekhukhune remained on the front foot in terms of chances in the opposition area, while Richards Bay gained some confidence in the ball possession count.
As the 20-minute mark approached, the Natal Rich Boyz saw up to 61 per cent ball possession and attempted to get into the tie with tidy football. Not holding back, Babina Noko were presented with a couple of counter-attacking situations at the time.
Richards Bay managed to forge a couple of attempts at goal toward the half-hour mark and grew stronger as the game progressed. With the first 45 reaching its conclusion, the Natal Rich Boyz remained the more proactive side on the ball.
With the referee calling time on the first half, the scoreline remained at 0-0 as Sekhukhune and Richards Bay were unable to convert their goal-scoring chances.
Much like that of the first half, Sekhukhune commenced the subsequent half with urgency and opened the scoring in the 49th minute. In popping up in the right place at the right time, Mahlangu’s shot inside the Richards Bay box beat Salim toward the bottom right corner.
Babina Noko doubled their advantage three minutes later, as Ohizu added his name to the scoresheet, while Seabi grabbed the assist. With two goals to the good, Richards Bay began turning the screws in an attempt to get back into the tie.
Despite their domination in the possession count, Richards Bay were unable to break down the Sekhukhune backline.
After an hour of football played, the Natal Rich Boys pressed on but struggled to break through the stubborn Sekhukhune defence. As is the case for most of the encounter, Richards Bay dominated on the ball and actively searched for openings in the opposition quarters.
Kicking into game management mode, Sekhukhune rang in the changes during the closing phases of the game. Taking the pragmatic approach, coach Brandon Truter and company claimed maximum points with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Sekhukhune United: (0) 2 (Mahlangu 49’, Ohizu 52’)
Richards Bay: 0
Sekhukhune: Sangare, Ntiya-Ntiya, Gyimah, Cardoso, Mobbie, Mahlangu (Shai 72’), Mashikinya, Seabi, Letsoalo (Masiya 72’), Mncube (Mokwana 45’), Ohizu (Morris 83’)
Richards Bay: Salim, Mabua, Shabalala, Nyauza, Maphathe, Mtoto, Msani, Mabaso (Mthembu 81’), Makateng (Hlongwa 64’), Memela, Mbuthuma (Ochieng 81’)