Richards Bay dominate derby to sink AmaZulu at uMhlathuze

Richards Bay (1) 2 

Mthembu 16’, Ngema 84’

AmaZulu (0) 0

Richards Bay delivered one of their most assured performances of the season as they defeated AmaZulu 2-0 in yet another fiercely contested KZN derby at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday night.

The win not only pushed the Natal Rich Boyz up to ninth in the Betway Premiership, but also brought them within two points of the top eight as the league edges closer to the AFCON break.

AmaZulu, meanwhile, missed a valuable opportunity to climb as high as third.

Usuthu have struggled on the road this season and once again failed to build on their solitary away win in the north of the province, falling flat in a match where their possession-heavy approach yielded very little penetration.

The derby opened at a lively tempo, with Richards Bay immediately asserting themselves through aggressive pressing and direct transitions.

AmaZulu enjoyed more of the ball, but the hosts carried far greater threat and looked sharper in duels, second balls and forward momentum.

The breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute, and it was no less than Richards Bay deserved. Gabadinho Mhango forced AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson into a stunning reflex save, but the rebound fell kindly for Moses Mthembu.

The midfielder reacted fastest, coolly tucking the ball into an empty net to record his first goal of the season and send the home crowd into full voice.

That early goal ignited confidence in the hosts, who continued to dictate the emotional temperature of the derby.

Their defensive structure remained tight, marshalled well in the middle of the park, while AmaZulu lacked the sharpness needed to break them down.

Despite long spells of possession, Usuthu rarely troubled Ian Otieno’s goal, their play too predictable and slow to trouble a Richards Bay side brimming with belief.

As the second half wore on, AmaZulu pushed bodies forward but left themselves exposed.

The killer blow arrived in the 84th minute when youngster Wandile Ngema latched onto a loose ball and fired a composed half-volley into the bottom corner with his weaker foot — his second goal of the campaign and a moment that sealed the derby.

Richards Bay’s disciplined, hungry display earned them a deserved victory, while AmaZulu were left to rue another missed opportunity away from home.