Richards Bay FC picked up their first win of the season in the Betway Premiership following a 1-0 victory over Chippa United on Tuesday evening.
New signings Nathan Fasika, Somila Ntsundwana and Justice Figuareido all started for Chippa, while the host restored veteran Gabadinho Mhango to the starting line-up.
The match didn’t lack chances earlier on as the Natal Rich Boys nearly broke the deadlock in the first minute when Thabisa Ndelu fired wide from a lay-off by Lundi Mahala.
Chippa responded to the threat five minutes later, as Sirgio Kammies fired wide from the edge of the six-yard box after meeting a delivery from Malebogo Modise.
Mahala came close again for the host with a pin-point header from a cross on the half-hour mark, but he was thwarted by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nwabali unfortunately was unable to finish the clash and was replaced by Elson Sithole ten minutes to halftime after he had picked up an injury.
Sithole didn’t make a settled start after mis-handled a long ball in the area, which allowed Mhango to step in and find the net in the final minute of the first spell.
Chippa, who were hammered 4-1 a week ago by TS Galaxy, looked to hit back immediately in the second half but the host held firm.
Coach Musa Nyatama went on to bench in search for inspiration and called on Giovanni Philander and Xolani Sithole.
The decision urged the visitors on as the half went on but they still struggled to break down the Natal Rich Boys, who were content to sit back and play on the counter-attack.
In the end, Richards Bay managed to hold on their slender lead and registered their first win of the campaign, while Chippa remain winless after four matches.
Image: Richards Bay
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Magoola, Vilakazi, Mntunga, Mabua, Mcineka, Zuke, Mthembu, Mthethwa, Ndelu, Mhango, Mahala
Chippa United: Nwabali, Dlamini, Fasika, Modise, Kammies, Malaoa, Madingwana, Mfecane, Mosele, Figareido, Ntsundwana