A brace from Thulani Gumede inspired Richards Bay FC as they defeated Polokwane City 3-2 in the Nedbank Cup at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday evening. The win from the Natal Rich Boys takes them into the next round of the cup competition.
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The opening 45 minutes of the match produced three goals, giving an entertaining display of football. Both teams utilised their set pieces well. Richards Bay’s Sanele Barns was instrumental in the beginning stages of the game, constantly putting himself in dangerous positions to attack Polokwane City.
Despite being the better team at the starting point of the match, the Natal Rich Boys fell behind as Douglas Mapfumo scored approaching the half-hour mark. The goal was a header from Stevens Goovadia’s cross.
Richards Bay responded to the goal almost immediately when Justice Figuareido scored at the other end three minutes later, heading past PLK City goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga from Barns’ corner. Keeping up the tempo, they scored yet again through a stunning strike from Thulani Gumede, putting them ahead in the 35th minute.
The second half brought more goals as Rise and Shine equalised in the 55th minute with a header from Tholo Matuludi. Gumede put the Natal Rich Boys ahead once again in the 71st minute with a powerful strike and sublime finish after receiving the ball as they won back possession, leaving the forward with plenty of space to work with.
Mhlongo came close to scoring after receiving a cutback pass but the effort was saved by the goalkeeper with four minutes of normal time remaining. Stoppage time was nervy for Richards Bay as Goovadia’s effort failed to find the back of the net, almost causing another equaliser.
Richards Bay continued to dominate possession, seeing the game out and the score was 3-2 at fulltime.
Richards Bay (2) 3 (Figuareido 32’, Gumede 34’, 71’
Polokwane City (1) 2 (Mapfumo 29’, Matuludi 54’)
Richards Bay: J. Mabokgwane, L. Mabuya, S. Mcineka, T. Dube (S. Mthethwa 50’), N. Ndaba, M. Mthembu (L. Mhlongo 72’), B. Komane, J. Figuaredo (S. Ntsundwana 59’), S. Barns, T. Gumede, K. Muyaba (Y. Mbuthuma 72’)
Polokwane City: M. Sapunga, L. Baloyi, Kambala L. Nkaki, B. Nikani, N. Thuto (T. Matuludi 41’), S. Ramabu, N. Raphadu (N. Mabena 46’), G. Mashikinya (C. Alexander 46’), S. Goovadia, D. Mapfumo