Substitute Sakhile Hlongwa scored a late goal to earn Richards Bay a 1-0 victory over AmaZulu in the DStv Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday.
The match was seemingly headed for a draw when Hlongwa pounced from a lose ball in the area to score the only goal deep in added time which deflected off Veli Motha to ensure Bay got all three points.
This was a second match in succession that AmaZulu conceded late to lose a match after they suffered a similar fate against Mamelodi Sundowns before the Fifa International break.
A third successive league defeat has now put more pressure on AmaZulu coach Brandon Truter. However, for rookies Bay everything is coming up roses as they soar to second spot to be two points behind leaders Sundowns.
The last time Usuthu registered a victory was on August 27 when they beat Cape Town City in the MTN8 quarter-final.
To make things even more difficult yesterday, AmaZulu were without Veluyeke Zulu and Gabadinho Mhango due to suspension after they got red cards in their previous match against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 semi-final first leg.
The Natal Rich Boyz, on the other hand, rediscovered their early season form and they registered another win over their neighbours following a similarly hard-fought victory over Royal AM a few months ago.
It was AmaZulu who started the better of the two as they enjoyed ball possessions earlier on in the match and had chances to break the deadlock, but poor decision-making in the final third was the difference.
As the game continued, the new kids on the block were slowly coming into the game and created their chances to find the breakthrough, but could not beat Motha on goal.
Richards Bay finished the first half the stronger of the two and were eager to build on that after the restart. They continued where they left off and Luvuyo Memela came close to finding the opener but his efforts rattled the bar.
As both teams continued to search for the opener, the match was temporarily suspended in the 75th minute due to lightning at the venue.
The game was then resumed after 15 minutes and it was the visitors who had the sucker punch as they scored late through Hlongwa whose fierce strike deflected off Motha following a freekick.
Hlongwa scores late as Richards Bay floor KZN rivals
Third loss in a row piles more pressure on Truter
Image: Darren Stewart
Substitute Sakhile Hlongwa scored a late goal to earn Richards Bay a 1-0 victory over AmaZulu in the DStv Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday.
The match was seemingly headed for a draw when Hlongwa pounced from a lose ball in the area to score the only goal deep in added time which deflected off Veli Motha to ensure Bay got all three points.
This was a second match in succession that AmaZulu conceded late to lose a match after they suffered a similar fate against Mamelodi Sundowns before the Fifa International break.
A third successive league defeat has now put more pressure on AmaZulu coach Brandon Truter. However, for rookies Bay everything is coming up roses as they soar to second spot to be two points behind leaders Sundowns.
The last time Usuthu registered a victory was on August 27 when they beat Cape Town City in the MTN8 quarter-final.
To make things even more difficult yesterday, AmaZulu were without Veluyeke Zulu and Gabadinho Mhango due to suspension after they got red cards in their previous match against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 semi-final first leg.
The Natal Rich Boyz, on the other hand, rediscovered their early season form and they registered another win over their neighbours following a similarly hard-fought victory over Royal AM a few months ago.
It was AmaZulu who started the better of the two as they enjoyed ball possessions earlier on in the match and had chances to break the deadlock, but poor decision-making in the final third was the difference.
As the game continued, the new kids on the block were slowly coming into the game and created their chances to find the breakthrough, but could not beat Motha on goal.
Richards Bay finished the first half the stronger of the two and were eager to build on that after the restart. They continued where they left off and Luvuyo Memela came close to finding the opener but his efforts rattled the bar.
As both teams continued to search for the opener, the match was temporarily suspended in the 75th minute due to lightning at the venue.
The game was then resumed after 15 minutes and it was the visitors who had the sucker punch as they scored late through Hlongwa whose fierce strike deflected off Motha following a freekick.
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