Richards Bay denied winner in home return

Mpho Mvelase, Simphiwe Mcineka and Puso Dithejane © Backpagepix

Richards Bay were denied three points by TS Galaxy and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their return to the Umhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay on Wednesday.

The newly refurbished stadium was cleared to host Betway Premiership fixtures by the PSL last week after 55 “home” games played elsewhere in KwaZulu-Natal over the last three seasons for the Natal Rich Boyz.

Richards Bay were denied a winner at the death, failing to score from the penalty spot and secure their second straight win. They sit in 11th place on the log with five points.

TS Galaxy have collected 10 points from their six league games and sit sixth on the log.

The hosts created the first chance in the 10th minute as Sbani Mntungwa found Gabadinho Mhango on the left side of the box, who did well to create space for himself but could not squeeze the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Richards Bay gave the home crowd what they came for in the 29th minute as Siyabonga Nzama crossed to Wandile Ngema at the edge of the area who set himself with a touch before firing the ball at Tape Ira, who could not keep it out.

In the 36th minute, Dithejane was sent to the byline by Patrick Fisher and chipped the ball across the face of goal, nearly finding Nhlanhla Mgaga at the back post, but Salim Magoola tipped the ball over the bar to deny the Rockets a goal-scoring chance.

The Rockets pulled level in the 44th minute as Sphesihle Maduna slipped while taking his freekick, sending the ball high into the air. Captain Mlungisi Mbunjana got under the ball and flicked it past the diving Magoola for his second goal of the season in his 157th league appearance.

Maduna poked the ball into the back of the net just two minutes later but Galaxy were denied the lead by the linesman’s offside flag.

Galaxy failed to punish Richards Bay in the 55th minute as Magoola rushed out to meet Dithejane and was beaten. The reigning Betway Premiership player of the month had his shot at the open goal denied by Simphiwe Mcineka, who stepped in again to deny the follow up in an impressive defensive display.

Dithejane should have scored as he broke again in the 57th minute, set loose by a long ball and beating Sbangani Zulu and Mcineka, but Zulu recovered to stop him from slotting the ball home after rounding Magoola.

The Richards Bay goalkeeper was stretchered off and replaced by Ian Otieno in the 62nd minute for the Kenyan’s first appearance of the season.

In the 75th minute, Richards Bay missed a golden opportunity. Ngema’s free kick reached Lundo Mahala at the back post, who put the ball into the path of Mcineka. However, the Natal Rich Boyz captain could not find the target from in front of goal.

Ngema continued to trouble the visitors, earning a penalty in the 86th minute after being brought down by Khukumani Ndamane.

However, Tshepo Mabua could not convert from the penalty spot as Ira denied his attempt to find the bottom right corner.

The Natal Rich Boyz will travel to the Western Cape to face Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday.

TS Galaxy will next be in action at home against Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Wednesday, as their Saturday fixture against Kaizer Chiefs has been postponed due to Amakhosi’s CAF Confederations Cup match.

Richards Bay (1) (Ngema 29’)

TS Galaxy (1) (Mbunjana 44’)

Richards Bay: S. Magoola (I. Otieno 62’), S. Zulu, S. Mcineka, T. Mabua, S. Mntungwa, M. Mthembu (T. Mthethwa 74’), T. Zuke, W. Negma, L. Zikhali (L. Mahala 52’), S. Nzama, G. Mhango (L. Mabuya 74’)

TS Galaxy: T. Ira, P. Fisher, M. Mahlangu, K. Ndamane, K. Letsoenyo, S. Maduna, M. Mbunjana, S. Mahlambi, N. Mgaga (M. Keita 82’), P. Dithejane, M. Mvelase

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