Richards Bay FC boosted their survival hopes in the DStv Premiership with a 1-0 win over Moroka Swallows on Saturday afternoon.
A portion of those that did duty midweek over Orlando Pirates started yet again in Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Daniel Akpeyi and Gabadinho Mhango, while Salim Magoola and Thabani Dube came in for the home side.
Richards Bay were denied what would’ve been a credible point in midweek at Mamelodi Sundowns who scored the winner at the death through Junior Mendieta.
The Dube Birds continued their steady push to overcome the drop and finish in a respectable position on the table with a confidence-boosting stalemate against Orlando Pirates.
No goals were presented during the course of the opening half, therefore guided the set of teams to the interval on a score-less footing.
Substitutions aplenty on either side past the break had Jacob Everson fill in for Augustine Mahlonoko on the side of the Dube Birds.
Meanwhile, Vusimuzi Vilakazi made a double change as ex-Pirates Ntsako Makhubela dropped out for Moses Mthembu and Thulani Gumede set in for Justice Figareido.
Both teams continued to battle opening up each other, thus seeing the contest evenly matched on largely all fronts.
Swallows, who were in turmoil not so long with players on strike over salaries and lack of proper facilities lamented before seeing a raft of players and then coach Steve Komphela depart.
Richards Bay hit the front ten minutes from time where an assist by Nkosikhona Ndaba saw Khuda Muyaba take aim to nestle the back of the net.
The Dube Birds didn’t reply well inside the latter stages, as the Natal Rich Boys claimed all the points and ended a three-match winless run.
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Ndaba, Mthethwa, Dube, Dlamini, Mhlongo, Barns, Figareido, Makhubela, Ntsundwana
Subs: Jacobs, Mabua, Malepe, Myaba, Gumede, Komane, Mbuthuma, Mthembu, Mohlamme
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Maponya, Tshanini, Sibiya, Nyauza, Mthethwa, Phalane, Mbanjwa, Mahlonoko, Mtshali, Mhango
Subs: Mbanjwa, Mphahlele, Koapeng, Nqgonga, Sibiya, Sanou, Khupe, Shwabule, Everson
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