In a gripping encounter at the King Zwelithini Stadium on April 18, 2025, Richards Bay FC secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Cape Town City, intensifying the relegation fears for the visitors. The match was a significant clash in the Betway Premiership as both teams battled to avoid slipping further down the table.
Richards Bay, desperate to turn around their fortunes after back-to-back defeats, made three changes from their last outing against AmaZulu, bringing in Lwandile Mabuya, Somila Ntsundwana, and Ntlonelo Bomelo. Meanwhile, Cape Town City, under interim coach Diogo Peral, made just one adjustment, with Haashim Domingo replacing Amadou Soukouna following their recent loss to Sekhukhune United.
The match started with Richards Bay looking lively, as Bomelo had a chance within the first ten minutes, narrowly heading wide after a well-placed cross from Thulani Gumede. However, it was not long before the game faced a setback when Nkosikhona Radebe was forced to leave the pitch due to injury, leading to Sanele Zulu coming on as his replacement.
Despite the early excitement, both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances. Cape Town City’s Darwin Gonzalez and Jaedin Rhodes attempted to spark some life into the game, but the Richards Bay defense held firm. The first half ended with both goalkeepers, Ian Otieno for Richards Bay and Darren Keet for City, remaining largely untroubled.
The second half began with an unexpected delay due to a floodlight failure, causing City players to initially refuse to take the field until the issue was resolved. After approximately 20 minutes, the lights were fixed, and the match resumed, albeit with a slightly tense atmosphere.
As the half progressed, Richards Bay began to regain their momentum, pushing forward aggressively. Cape Town City made tactical substitutions, bringing on Kayden Francis and Kamohelo Mokotjo in hopes of turning the tide. The changes seemed to invigorate the visitors, with Rhodes coming close to scoring with a powerful volley that forced a brilliant save from Otieno.
However, the breakthrough came in the 79th minute when Thulani Gumede received a precise pass from Wandile Ngema at the edge of the box. With composure, Gumede curled a low shot past Keet, sealing the victory for Richards Bay. This goal not only marked a vital three points for the Natal Rich Boyz but also pushed them up three places in the league standings to 11th position.
For Cape Town City, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, as they remain locked in a precarious position in 14th place, just one point ahead of SuperSport United, who are in the relegation playoff zone. City has now gone 12 league matches without a win, a streak that raises serious concerns about their ability to avoid relegation.
After the match, Richards Bay’s coach expressed his satisfaction with the performance, highlighting the importance of the win in their fight against relegation. "We knew how crucial this match was for our season. The players showed great character, and Thulani's goal was a testament to our determination to stay in this league," he stated.
As the season approaches its conclusion, the battle at both ends of the table intensifies. With Richards Bay now looking to build on this victory, they will face further challenges in the upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Cape Town City must regroup quickly, as they prepare for their next match, hoping to turn their fortunes around before it’s too late.
Looking ahead, the Premier Soccer League continues to deliver thrilling encounters. On Saturday, three more matches are scheduled, including a clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United, and Sekhukhune United hosting Polokwane City in a top-six battle. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the relegation battle unfolds and whether Richards Bay can maintain their newfound form.
