AmaZulu FC bounced back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership when they claimed a 1-0 win over Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday night.
Despite the win in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby clash, Usuthu remained seventh in the league standings, but they are now two points behind third-placed Stellenbosch FC.
FULL-TIME ⏰ | #BetwayPremiership 🏆
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) April 4, 2025
🟢 The City is Ours 🏙️#AmaZuluFC 1⃣ ➖ 0⃣ Richards Bay#BetwayPrem #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/Cyui0q7zXX
Coach Arthur Zwane's side will be away to Stellenbosch FC on 19 April.
The Natal Rich Boys, on the other hand, also remained 13th in the standings - two points above the relegation zone.
Papi Zothwane and Ronnie Gabriel's side will play host to Cape Town City on 18 April.
Usuthu looked more dangerous of the two teams when they pushed forward and they were able to test goalkeeper Ian Otieno, who made a routine save to deny Nkosikhona Radebe 13 minutes into the match.
However, AmaZulu had a scare at the back when keeper Richard Ofori dropped a cross from the left, but the Ghanaian reacted quickly and gathered the ball before the visitors could pounce and score.
The score was 0-0 at the halftime break.
The hosts continued to push for the opening goal after the restart and they got it in the 68th minute.
Otieno parried the ball into the reach of Taariq Fielies, who made no mistake as the defender fired home from close range to hand AmaZulu a 1-0 lead.
The Natal Rich Boys introduced promising striker Ntlonelo Bomelo with 10 minutes left as Richards Bay looked to snatch a late equalising goal.
However, AmaZulu stood firm at the back and they claimed a 1-0 win on the night.
AmaZulu 1 (Fielies 69')
Richards 0
AMAZULU: Ofori, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Mphahlele, Fielies, Zungu (Mbanjwa 73'), Brooks, Moremi (Mashigo 73'), Motshwari, Kambindu, Radebe (Human 46' Mthethwa 90'+4).
Richards: Otieno, Mabuya (Zulu 35'), Ndaba, Mabua, Allan, Mthethwa, Conco (Ngema 46'), Mthembu (Bomelo 80'), Mbuthuma, Zikhali, Gumede