DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 02: Motebang Sera of Royal AM celebrates scoring during the DStv Premiership match between Richards Bay and Royal AM at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Royal AM secured the bragging rights in the KwaZulu-Natal derby after defeating Richards Bay FC 2-1 on Saturday evening.
Richards Bay made only two changes following their win over Polokwane City in the Nedbank Cup, as goalkeeper Salim Magoola and Siyanda Dlamini were recalled.
Royal AM, meanwhile, made sive changes from their Nedbank Cup defeat against AmaZulu, as Menzi Masuku, Motebang Sera, Sphiwe Cele, Sabelo Sithole, Mlungisi Sikakane and Jeffrey Dlamini were all brought in.
Thwihli Thwahla had a quick start as on 13 minutes Cele almost opened the scoring with a strike in the box that came off the post after a headed pass by Masuku.
John Maduka's charges remained on the front foot and on the half-hour mark Levy Mashiane came close to breaking the deadlock with a looping shot that produced a good save from Magoola.
The match was open towards the end of the first stanza but Royal AM had the better and most chances as Thulani Gumede also came close with a strike that missed the top corner by inches.
Thwihli Thwahla continued where they left off from the interval as four minutes later they were awarded a penalty after Masuku was brought down in the box.
Sera made no mistake from the spot-kick, as he sent Royal AM ahead with a strike into the bottom corner.
Maduka's men were awarded another penalty just before the half-hour mark as Masuku doubled their lead from 12-yards after he was fouled again in the box.
The Natal Rich Boyz started to get into the game after that and with 20 minutes remaining, they made an attacking change, as Yamela Mbuthuma replaced Khuda Mayaba for fresh legs.
Mbuthuma made an instant impact, as five minutes later he pulled a goal back for Richards Bay with a strike from a rebound after his initial header was saved by shot-stopper Hugo Nyame, from a cross by Somila Ntsundwana.
However, Vusumuzi Vilakazi's troops struggled to get momentum in the dying minutes, as Royal AM slowed down the tempo of the game and in the end Thwihli Thwahla held on to a narrow win that ended their four-game winless run in all competitions.
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Mcineka, Dube, Ndaba, Barns, Mthembu, Dlamini, Gumede, Figuareido, Myaba
Subs: Mabokgwane, Mthethwa, Mabaso, Mbuthuma, Mhlongo, Makateng, Banda, Komane, Ntsundwana.
Royal AM: Nyame, Jiyane, Sikakane, Shezi, Sithole, Mahlasela, Dlamimi, Mashiane, Masuku, Cele, Sera
Subs: Mpoto, Kobedi, Lingwati, Macuphu, Ndlovu, Mkhize, George, Gamaldien, Msomi
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