Richards Bay failed to restore their eight-point lead over Cape Town Spurs after a goalless draw against Polokwane City on Wednesday night.
Simphiwe Mcineka made an immediate return for Richards Bay following suspension, with Hlayisi Chauke and Cole Alexander back in for Rise and Shine.
After countless misses against AmaZulu last week, Khuda Muyaba’s misfortune in front of goal continued on eight minutes where he mis-directed a corner from Thulani Gumede.
The same individuals struck up another combination in a five minutes spell and had the forward once more draw blanks from a promising position up top once again.
Set-pieces seemed to be the go-to option for the respective sides, as Rise and Shine enjoyed their first chance when Simon Ramabu’s corner saw Manuel Kambala head wide from in the area.
Coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi made a one change on the side of the visitors and saw Muyaba making way for Yanela Mbuthuma in a direct substitution.
City defender Tholo Matuludi got a big chance to make the opening with a header from a corner by Ramabu, but failed to get beyond the reach of Salim Magoola.
The Natal Rich Boys came to the fore a little later and witnessed Moses Mthembu go wide through a snap shot from a ball in by Thulani Gumede.
However, the chances continued to go on both ends though the indecisiveness remained and left the contest keenly poised with everything on the line.
With none of the opportunities buried from either side, this forced the contest to end all square which dampened the Natal Rich Boys’ fight against relegation as City missed out on eight spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
Polokwane City: Mathebula, Nikani, Nkwe, Alexander, Kambala, Appollis, Maphangule, Matuludi, Nkaki, Chauke, Ramabu
Subs: Sapunga, Tshabalala, Mashikinya, Raphadu, Nana, Baloyi, Goovadia, Thuto, Mapfumo
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Ndaba, Mthethwa, Mcineka, Malepe, Mthembu, Gumede, Myaba, Mhlongo, Ntsundwana
Subs: Jacobs, Mabua, Makhunela, Figareido, Dube, Makateng, Mbuthuma, Komane, Mohlamme
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