AmaZulu claimed a 2-1 away win over Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium on Friday evening, moving further clear of trouble in the Premier Social League. The result leaves the visitors fourth on seven points after five matches, while the hosts remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just three points from their opening four outings.
AmaZulu struck first when Thandolwenkosi Methuseli Ngwenya netted in the 52nd minute, giving the visitors the lead they would maintain for most of the contest. Richards Bay responded with a penalty converted by M. Mthembu in the 80th minute, but N. Radebe restored the away side's advantage just two minutes later, and the game effectively ran out from there.
The statistics tell a story of dominance without reward for the home side. Richards Bay held 57 per cent possession and launched 125 attacks compared to 97 for the visitors, yet their 10 shots yielded only three on target at 20 per cent accuracy. AmaZulu managed just eight attempts with a lower accuracy rate of 13 per cent, but both sides created one big chance each — and that distinction proved decisive.
Richards Bay accumulated 467 total passes against 356 for AmaZulu, with 281 passes into the opposition half. The visitors pressed harder in defence, recording 20 interceptions and 17 tackles compared to the hosts' 10 and 9. Both teams won 13 aerial duels apiece, though Richards Bay attempted more crosses at 25 to 18.
The match saw four substitutions on the hour mark from AmaZulu as Langelihle Mhlongo and Mondli Mbanjwa came on, followed by two changes for Richards Bay at 61 minutes when S. Barns was introduced. Both sides received two yellow cards each, with Richards Bay's Nqaba Xulu and Lindokuhle Sphuzo Zikhali cautioned in the first half.
For Richards Bay, the defeat extends a run of three consecutive draws before this loss, while AmaZulu's away victory builds on their recent form that includes wins over Sivellele and Stellenbos. The gap between them in the standings now stands at four points, and AmaZulu have now played five matches compared to Richards Bay's four.
