Richards Bay bounced back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership with a 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The win elevated the Natal Rich Boys to the 11th spot in the league standings - six points clear of the relegation zone. Richards Bay will host Golden Arrows in their penultimate match of the season on 17 May.
#BetwayPrem - RESULT:
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) May 4, 2025
Lindokuhle Zikhali's second half goal earns @RichardsBayFC_ all three points against @TSGALAXYFC. pic.twitter.com/JeKyUqTXcn
The Rockets, on the other hand, remained fifth in the standings after recording their ninth defeat of the campaign. Galaxy will wrap their league campaign with a match against Orlando Pirates in Soweto on 17 May.
The Rockets did most of the attacking in the opening exchanges, but they couldn't keep their attempts on target as Kamogelo Sebelebele's header went wide in the third minute, before Puso Dithejane's effort missed the right post in the 10th minute.
Salim Magoola was called into action a minute before halftime, and the Natal Rich Boys' goalkeeper produced a low diving save to stop Dithejane's dangerous shot-come-cross. The score was 0-0 at the interval in South Africa's administrative capital, Pretoria.
Richards Bay came back as an improved side, and they took a 1-0 lead through Lindokuhle Zikhale in the 51st minute. However, the 20-year-old attacker went from hero to villain as he was sent off in the 54th minute, with the Natal Rich Boys were reduced to 10 players.
Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic reacted by introducing the third-highest goalscorer in the league, Dzenan Zajmovic, who is on eight goals, in the 58th minute. However, Richards Bay held on to their slender lead and they emerged as 1-0 winners over Galaxy.
Galaxy 0
Richards 1 (Zikhali 51')
TS Galaxy: Tape, Munyai, Mahlangu, Ndamane, Letsoenyo (Masiya 45'), Mgaga (Sovisc 59'), Maduna (Mvelase 69'), Dolly, Sebelebele, Dithejane (Dithejane 68'), Letsoalo (Zajmovic 58')
Richards Bay: Magoola, Gcaba, Ndaba, Mabua, Mcineka, Zulu, Gumede (Allan 90'+2), Zikhali, Mbuthuma, Mhlongo, Thikazi (Ngema 46').