Richards Bay FC struck late in the second half to secure a 1-0 win over AmaZulu in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.
AmaZulu recalled Thembela Sikhakhane and Ethan Brooks from the MTN8 semi-final clash against Kaizer Chiefs, but Luvuyo Memela and Sanele Barns picked out Richards Bay's starting eleven.
As it happened | Swallows 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs
The host' approach were disrupted in the opening stages of the first half, as Mbongeni Gumede picked up a knock and had to be withdrawn for Sandile Khumalo.
Usuthu remained on the front-foot amidst the alteration, and decoy runs in and around the defensive-third from Augustine Kwem unsettled the visitors.
Richards Bay also put on a substitution albeit forced after the half-hour mark, with Ndiviwe Mdabuka hauled in and Abel Mabaso sacrificed for the former Ajax Cape Town midfielder.
The Natal Rich Boyz launched their first meaningful threat five minutes to halftime where Barns burst through the area to get on the end of a one-on-one, but goalkeeper Veli Mothwa parried.
Richards Bay carried their momentum into the second half and were unfortunate not to make the breakthrough when Memela struck the woodwork with a first-time shot in the area.
Brandon Truter's men responded to the threat minutes apart where a ball over the top picked out Kwem, but the Natal Rich Boyz managed to clear their lines at the back.
As the match evened out, thunderous weather conditions in the closing period forced the referee to temporarily suspend the encounter.
Whilst the match resumed, Richards Bay enjoyed a lot of the ball and were rewarded when Sakhile Hlongwa's shot bounced off Mothwa and into the net.
This win strengthened the Natal Rich Boyz's grip in second spot on the table and extended Usuthu's winless run in the league to five matches.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Mabiliso, Gumede, Mphahlele, Mobara, Malepe, Maluleka, Brooks, Kwem, Majoro.
Subs: Amonome, Khumalo, Mgwazela, Kunene, Bwalya, Zuma, Mukumela, Maduna, Ndlovu.
Richards Bay: Magoola, Nyauza, Mabaso, Mabua. Mcineka, Mathebula, Memela, Maphathe, Ntsundwana, Barns, Msani.
Subs: Jacobs, Mthethwa, Makateng, Zungu, Mthembu, Majabidou, Mdabuka, Mbuthuma, Hlongwa.
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