Another week, another thrilling weekend of local football action. Pro Philani takes a look back at how the KZN sides performed over the Easter weekend.
Richards Bay – Critical But Stable
The Rich Boyz suffered their eighth successive defeat at the hands of rivals Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium in uMlazi, south of Durban.
The match, which was dubbed by pundits as worst attacking side vs worst defensive side, had many talking points to deliberate on.
Arrows’ goal came early in the sixth minute of the first half when striker Ryan Moon rose the highest from a corner to head home and give the Lamontville side the lead in the first half.
Richards Bay were dealt a huge blow when midfielder Abel Mabaso was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 37th minute, forcing his side to play with 10 men for over an hour.
The defeat pushed Richards Bay out of the top eight for the first time this season with just 31 points accumulated in 25 games. Arrows on the other hand moved to seventh, tied with another KZN rival Royal AM in eighth position on 32 points.
⏱️FULL TIME
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) April 8, 2023
A first-half goal from Ryan Moon secured us a win today against Richards Bay FC at King Zwelithini Stadium.@RichardsBayFC_ FC 0-1 Lamontville Golden Arrows
RBFC0️⃣-1️⃣ LGA | #SthendeWay #GreenAndGold #DStvPrem #VisitDurban #KZNDerby pic.twitter.com/GRWbwxtHni
Royal AM Cruise Past Stellies
Royal AM came from a goal down as they returned to winning ways after defeating Stellenbosch FC 3-1 at the Chatsworth Stadium west of Durban.
Junior Mendieta had opened the scoring in the 14th minute. 39-year-old Elias Pelembe equalized from close range four minutes later. The moment of the match came in the 42nd minute when midfielder Teboho Potsane dazzled Stellies defence to setup Mthokozisi Dube inside the box to make it 2-1 before the break.
Six minutes from time, Shaun Mogaila made it 3-1 and secured all the points for the home side to move them inside the top eight.
Silky football 🤤
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 9, 2023
Junior Mendieta is a serious baller 🤩
Score update: Royal AM 1-1 Stellenbosch FC
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/Tg69y0EeUL pic.twitter.com/pnWJuQfDu9
Maritzburg In Dire Straits
Maritzburg United went to the bottom of the log following a 1-0 defeat away againt Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane. Sibusiso Vilakazi’s 84th-minute goal meant Fadlu Davids and his boys suffered their 13th defeat this season, the highest so far in the 2022/23 league season.
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡 𝟮 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 💥
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) April 8, 2023
Sibusiso Vilakazi has scored his first goal in two years and his first for Sekhukhune United to hand them three points over Maritzburg United.#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/RzwkN1AMRx
AmaZulu Fight Back To Earn Draw At Cape Town City
AmaZulu went down to the Mother City looking to build on a new lease of life after Romain Folz was relieved of his duties by club president Sandile Zungu for a Technical Advisor role to allow his assistant Ayanda Dlamini to take the club forward in the remaining games.
It was a tough first half for Usuthu as Khanyisa Mayo and Darwin Gonzalez ensured City capitalised on their home ground advantage to advantage with a 2-0 halftime lead.
Usuthu showed character in the second half and it was not long until striker Augustine Kwem was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box. Bongi Ntuli’s penalty was saved by Darren Keet.
Minutes later, Ntuli turned his man inside the box to pull one back to restore some hope. AmaZulu’s fight intensified as they went in search of an equaliser and were duly rewarded in the dying moments when Chidi Kwem headed in the equaliser that gave Ayanda Dlamini’s men an important point.
10-man Cape Town City let a two-goal lead slip in their 2-2 draw against AmaZulu in the #DStvPrem.
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 9, 2023
