KwaZulu-Natal hosted two Betway Premiership encounters on Tuesday, with action unfolding at the uMhlathuze Stadium and Chatsworth Stadium as Richards Bay FC and Durban City FC took centre stage on home soil.
At the uMhlathuze Stadium, Richards Bay secured an important 2-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC in an entertaining contest.
The hosts handed a first start to Tuli Nashixwa, while Zikhali returned to the starting XI as the Natal Rich Boyz looked to assert themselves early. Stellenbosch, meanwhile, included Olisah Ndah and Orlando Pirates loanee Tshegofatso Mabasa in their line-up.
Richards Bay made a bright start and were rewarded in the 7th minute when Sanele Barns found the back of the net to give the hosts an early lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as Stellenbosch responded just three minutes later, with Palace equalising in the 10th minute to level matters.
The decisive moment arrived in the second half when Sbangani Zulu won a penalty for Richards Bay in the 52nd minute after being brought down inside the area. Moses Mthembu stepped up and calmly converted from the spot a minute later, firing into the top right corner to restore the hosts’ lead and ultimately secure all three points.
Meanwhile, at the Chatsworth Stadium, Durban City FC faced a tough challenge against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Durban City welcomed back Fezile Gcaba to the starting XI, while Sphiwe Mahlangu was also handed an opportunity. Sundowns, on the other hand, saw the return of Leon to their line-up as they looked to impose their dominance early on.
The visitors wasted no time asserting themselves, opening the scoring in the 10th minute through Tsiki Ntsabeleng. The midfielder finished off a well-worked move, slotting home with a right-footed effort after being played through by Marcelo Allende.
Sundowns remain top of the table, while Durban City sit sixth. Stellenbosch occupy ninth position, with Richards Bay moving up to 11th following their victory. Richards Bay next host Orlando Pirates on Friday , 10 April . Durban City travel to face Golden Arrows on Saturday,11 April. Sundowns are away to Polokwane City on Wednesday , 15 April . Stellenbosch FC return home to take on Sekhukhune United on Friday , 17 April.
Image : Richards Bay FC