The University of Pretoria played an entertaining 1-1 draw against Richards Bay in their final match of the PSL Promotion Playoffs on Saturday afternoon at the Tuks Stadium.
Result:@AmaTuks fight back to rescue to a point against @RichardsBayFC_
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 15, 2024
The draw leaves both teams locked on five points - The Natal Rich Boys are ahead on goal difference. pic.twitter.com/0RDrzbjs7o
The result means that Richards Bay are still in cruise control of their fate of possibly staying in the DStv Premiership as they are tied with Tuks on five points in the table, with the advantage of a game in hand as they prepare to face Baroka next Wednesday.
Since the stakes were high in this encounter, Richards Bay piled on the pressure from the very first kick against the home team. Tuks however, eventually found their way into the game and began to control play and possession better than their opponents in the first half.
The Natal Rich Boyz’s game plan worked despite seeing less of the ball and they grabbed the first goal of the match through Yanela Mbuthuma’s scrappy effort, which went into the back of the net before the stroke of halftime in the 39th minute.
Richards Bay went into the second half with the lead, but it did not last long as Kamohelo Pheaane redeemed himself on the other end after playing a part in conceding the first goal, scoring a header to make matters level in the 48th minute. From that moment, it was game on as the teams were level.
Tuks continued to push for a breakthrough and grab a winning goal. The Pretorian outfit came close in the 83rd minute as Tebogo Mohlamonyane's strike from his weaker foot hit the crossbar.
Six minutes of stoppage time were added and it was a high tempo game of football as the match drew to a close, however none of the sides could break each other down and the spoils were shared at the Tuks Stadium.
University of Pretoria (0) 1 (Pheaane 48’)
Richards Bay (1) 0 (Mbuthuma 39’)
University of Pretoria: E. Maova, T. Mahlangu, T. Makara, S. Mpedi, T. Mohlamonyane (A. Tonisi 84’), P. Mkhuma (S. Langa 65’), S. Julies, D. Abrahams (A. Mvambi 46’), T. Sibanyoni, H. Majadibodu, K. Pheeane
Richards Bay: J. Salim, N. Ndaba, S. Mcineka, S. Mthethwa, L. Mabuya, S. Ntsundwana (T. Gumede 55’), R. Malepe, M. Mthembu (B. Komane 68’), S. Barns, Y. Mbuthuma, N. Makhubela (J. Figuareido 90+2’)