Marumo Gallants snatched a late winner to defeat Richards Bay 2-1 in their first game of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday.
Marumo Gallants bagged the opening goal of the new league campaign in the third minute as Bheki Mabuza presented an early contender for goal of the season, unleashing a rocket from the edge the area that sped past Jamal Salim and into the back of the net.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa had another opportunity in the 19th minute, as Salim’s pass failed to find a teammate and allowed Gallants to advance, but Daniel Msendami’s cross was blocked by Tlakusani Mthethwa, who prevented the ball from reaching Mlungisi Khumalo.
In the 27th min, Richards Bay broke on the counter as Thulani Gumede was unleashed down the right wing by Siyabonga Nzama, but Gumede’s cross intended for Gabadinho Mhango in the middle of the box was stopped by Marvin Sikhosana.
Gallants were reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute, as captain Edgar Manaka received the first red card of the season for his challenge on Moses Mthembu.
Mthembu started the second half with a long-range effort in the 48th minute which had Washington Arubi scrambling, but went wide of the right upright.
The Natal Rich Boys could have leveled matters in the 54th minute as Nzama’s cross was not properly cleared and fell to substitute Lundi Mahala, whose effort went well off target as he rushed his attempt.
Mahala redeemed himself in the 55th minute as Nzama got past two defenders before passing to Mahala, who moved through a gap in the Richards Bay defence, dribbling past another defender before unleashing a shot from just inside the area which beat Arubi to draw Richards Bay level.
The Natal Rich Boys kept pushing and in the 57th minute, Mthethwa showed good skill getting past Siyabonga Nhlapo with a brilliant stepover, but his left-footed effort could not find the target.
In the 74th minute, Mahala made a dashi into the box past Bheki Mabuza, squaring the ball for Mhango, who was denied.
The ball fell to Thabisa Ndelu, who was going for placement, but could not squeeze the ball through the wall of players in the box.
The home side came close to a winner in the 90th minute, but Wandile Ngema’s effort from outside the area took a deflection on its way, sending it off target.
Gallants had the final say as they found the winner in the 91st minute as Salim fumbled a routine save and Simo Mbhele’s long shot crossed the goalline.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa will next face Orlando Pirates at the Dr Rantlai Petrus Stadium on Tuesday, while Richards Bay will attempt to bounce back against Lamontville Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.
Richards Bay 1 (L. Mahala 55’)
Marumo Gallants (1) 2 (B. Mabuza 3’, S. Mbhele 90+1’)
Richards Bay: J. Salim, S. Zulu, S. Ncineka, T. Mabua, S. Mntungwa, M. Thikazi (L. Mahala 46’), M. Mthembu (W. Ngema 79’), T. Mthethwa, T. Gumede, S. Nzama (T. Ndelu 65’), G. Mhango (L. Mtshali 85’)
Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, S. Nhlapo, M. Sikhosana, M. Chabatsane, L. Mabotja, K. Ncube, B. Mabuza (J. Clifford 75’), E. Manaka, D. Msendami (M. Mphambaniso 75’), S. Sithole (K. Mhlongo 85’), M. Khumalo (S. Mbhele 65’)