Richards Bay marched on to the Carling Knockout quarterfinals for the second year running after they beat Sekhukhune United 1-0 in the pouring rain at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, 20 October.
The Natal Rich Boys scored for the first time in 380 minutes as Lwandile Mabuya's deflected goal at the end of the first half settled the round-of-16 clash in Durban.
The heavy surface made passing difficult and clear-cut chances were at a premium, with both teams largely trying their luck from range.
Andy Boyeli wasn't able to make clean contact with the ball seven minutes into the game after being set up by Mcedi Vandala, while Keletso Makgalwa saw his long-range shot drift wide of the goal in the 34th minute.
Richards Bay book their ticket to the #CarlingKnockout quarter-final once again âś…
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 20, 2024
Brandon Truter reflects on a tough battle 👇 pic.twitter.com/X0VhAw5oWt
The hosts profited from a moment of good fortune three minutes before halftime when Mabuya's free-kick from the left went in off the near post after taking a touch off Sipho Mbule's head.
Seema made two changes at the break, bringing on Chibuike Ohizu and Linda Mntambo, who dragged an effort wide of the left post from the edge of the box on 56 minutes.
The visitors tried their best to keep the ball on the carpet despite the poor conditions and Keletso Makgalwa forced Ian Otieno into a save at his near post in the 69th minute after receiving the ball on the left before advancing into the box.
Lesedi Kapinga found space for a shot eight minutes from time, but he could only curl the ball straight at Otieno from 22 yards out as time ultimately ran out for Babina Noko.
Richards Bay (1) 1 (Mabuya 42')
Sekhukhune United (0) 0
Richards Bay: I. Otieno, L. Mabuya, K. Allan, S. Mcineka, T. Mabua, J. Figuareido (T. Gumede 75'), T. Mthethwa, M. Mthembu, T. Buthelezi (S. Sithebe 64'), Y. Mbuthuma, S. Ntsundwana (S. Conco 82').
Sekhukhune United: L. Kazapua, S. Mogaila, T. Yamba, N. Ngcobo, S. Langa (V. Letlapa 71'), M. Vandala (L. Kapinga 54'), L. Mtshali (L. Mntambo 46'), S. Mkhize, K. Makgalwa, S. Mbule (C. Ashby 78'), A. Boyeli (C. Ohizu 46').