Richards Bay ended Polokwane City’s eight-match unbeaten streak in the Betway Premiership this week following an efficient 2-0 victory against Rise and Shine at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday night.
As one of the most in-form teams in the Betway Premiership currently, Polokwane’s shine were dimmed courtesy of two second-half strikes by Tlakusani Mthethwa and Ntlonelo respectively.
The game commenced at a steady pace at the King Zwelithini Stadium with both teams showcasing their attacking intent inside the first 10 minutes, as seen in attempts by Polokwane City’s Raymond Daniels and Richards Bay’s Keegan Allan.
FT #BetwayPrem
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) February 8, 2025
•Richards Bay 2-0 PLK City
(T Mthethwa'52,N Bomelo'69)#PhakweGas #NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/fRyLltIPX7
However, it was Richards Bay who created more scoring chances midway through the first-half while Polokwane City edged their counterparts to the ball possession count. Also, Rise and Shine made more final third entries throughout the first-half but often battled to make their chances stick.
Despite Rise and Shine having the majority of the ball, Phuti Mohafe’s charges were unable to create notable opportunities at the end of the half. Nonetheless, the referee brought the first 45 to halt with the score level at 0-0.
The Natal Rich Boyz looked lively after the restart and immediately took the game to their opponents with direct play toward goal. Then, following a corner situation, Richards Bay took the lead in the 52nd minute as Mthethwa’s header found the back of the net.
Richards Bay then doubled their advantage in the 69th minute after Bomelo added his name to the scoresheet with a left-footed shot from the middle of the goal.
With Richards Bay firmly in the driver’s seat, Ronnie Gabriel rang in the changes as the likes of Fezile Gcaba, Mxolisi Machupu and Wandile Ngema joined the fold with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Nevertheless, Richards Bay’s double in the second 45 was enough to secure maximum points on home soil.
Richards Bay: (0) 2 (Mthethwa 52’, Bomelo 69’)
Polokwane City: (0) 0
Richards Bay: Salim, Dlamini (Gcaba 73’), Allan, Mabua, Ndaba, Mthembu (Mhlongo 46’), Mthethwa, Figuareido (Ngema 73’), Mohlamme, Gumede (Mdantsane 82’), Bomelo (Machupu 73’)
Polokwane City: Bwire, Gwangqa, Nkaki, Nikani, Makhubela (Batlhabane 61’), Maphangule, Kambala, Appollis (Dlamini 75’), Letshedi (Tlolane 46’), Ramabu (Nana 56’), Daniels