Richards Bay FC clinched the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s Cup with a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Durban City on Sunday evening.
Thabo Nodada, Athini Jodwana, Brooklyn Poggenpoel lined-up for City, while the Natal Rich Boys gave starts to Musawenkosi Mdluli, Sibonginhlanhla Mthabela and Mvelo Zikakayo.
There wasn’t a lot of movement involving the two sides earlier on, with a lot of stoppages, fierce tackles and mis-placed passes filtering through proceedings.
Nothing in this regard changed within the course of the opening period in a spell of reduced clear-cut chances from either team.
After a quiet first half, Richards Bay came out firing in the second half and nearly bagged the opener with a first-time shot from close-range by Wandile Ngema that was saved by Ayanda Mtshali.
Ngema remained energised in the earlier stages of the resumption and fashioned another opening through a free-kick outside the area, but he picked out the side-netting.
The Natal Rich Boys unleashed fresh set of legs a little later in the form of Mfundo Thikazi, Siyabonga Nzama, Tshepo Mabua, Sibani Mntungwa.
City continued to find the going tough and were stretchered minutes apart when Benson Mangolo raced wide of the area to get goal-side, but he fired well wide.
The newly-promoted side's resistance fell apart two minutes from time after a well-taken penalty from Mabua following a foul in the area.
As the final whistle went, the Natal Rich Boys celebrated lifting the KZN Premier’s Cup with the Team of Choice defeated.
Image: Richards Bay
