The KwaZulu-Natal derby between Durban City and Richards Bay ended in a 1-1 draw at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday night, as both teams remained winless in the new Betway Premiership season.
The Natal Rich Boyz opened the scoring early on via a fine strike from Nqaba Xulu, but a second-half own goal from Thembela Sikhakhane handed the Citizens a share of the spoils.
City were on the front foot from the early stages, with Gaston Sirino highly influential. The Uruguayan came close to opening the scoring in the eighth minute with a shot on target that forced a fine save from Ian Otieno – and Jean Lwamba then made a mess of trying to convert from the rebound.
Bay then took advantage of a defensive error from Kabelo Mofokeng, as Nqaba Xulu drove forward, slipped past a defender, and provided a superb finish into the top corner of the net, handing the visitors a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute.
Twenty minutes later Xulu nearly added a spectacular second, meeting Sanele Barns’s cross from the right flank with an impish back-heel – his effort was on target, but City goalkeeper Fredrick Asare was well placed to make the save.
City’s next big chance arrived in the 43rd minute when Tashreeq Morris met a cross from the left flank and put a header on target, but Otieno made a good save to ensure his team enjoyed a one-goal advantage at the break.
The hosts made a triple change at the start of the second half, throwing on Bandile Shandu, Samkelo Maseko and Luphumlo Sifumba, while the visitors introduced Lindokuhle Zikhali.
The Natal Rich Boyz nearly doubled their lead midway through the first half when a counter attack ended with Thulani Gumede whipping a shot on target, but Asare made an excellent finger-tip save – and followed it up seconds later with another stop from a Barns drive.
The Citizens levelled the game at 1-1 in the 69th minute, with Sifumba crossing from the right flank to the far post, where the unfortunate Thembela Sikhakhane put the ball in his own net in an attempt to clear.
Both teams created half-chances in an effort to try and secure all three points on offer, but ultimately they settled for a share of the spoils.
The teams will return to Premiership action in the final midweek of August, with Durban away to Kruger United, and Bay at home to Kaizer Chiefs.
Durban City (0) 1 (Sikhakhane 69’ og)
Richards Bay (1) 1 (Xulu 9’)
CITY: Asare, Nodada (Shandu 46’), Ncanana, Msomi, Mokone (Doumbia 79’), Jurgens, Sanger, Mofokeng (Maskeo 46’), Sirino (Domingo 79’), Morris (Sifumba 46’), Lwamba
BAY: Otieno, Sikhakhane, Makhalala, Ndelu, Mcineka, Nashixwa, Gumede (Ngema 81’), Mthembu, Xulu (Bomelo 84’), Khumalo (Zikhali 46’), Barns (Nzama 75’)