Durban City

Match report

Two own goals rescue Richards Bay at Durban City

Durban City and Richards Bay played out a 1:1 draw at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday evening, a result that keeps the hosts seventh in the table while the visitors move off the bottom three. Durban City took the lead early through N. Xulu in the ninth minute, but Richards Bay fought back after the break when T. Sikhakhane turned the ball into his own net twice within two minutes. The match ended with both sides showing little to differentiate themselves beyond their league positions. Durban City have not won since their opening day, and this point extends their unbeaten run to four games.

The first half was straightforward enough, with Durban City's pressure paying off after only nine minutes. Xulu's finish gave the home side the advantage, and they carried that momentum into the restart. Richards Bay came out with more urgency and managed to equalise when Sikhakhane's deflections found the back of his own goal at 69 and 70 minutes. By then the game had opened up, and both sides made changes at the break to try and find a winner. Durban City brought on four players at 46 minutes, while Richards Bay responded with a single change at 75.

The statistics tell you the story without embellishment. Durban City held 62 percent of possession and registered 147 attacks, but created zero big chances and only hit the target five times. Richards Bay had fewer chances overall but were more clinical, converting one of their five shots on target into a goal via the own goals. The visitors also managed five goalkeeper saves to Durban City's four, suggesting they were under pressure in the final third. Shots accuracy tells a similar tale: Richards Bay hit 50 percent on target compared to 28 percent for the hosts.

The result leaves Durban City on six points from five games, while Richards Bay move to three points and sit in 13th place. Both sides were involved in a 1:1 draw on 25 July, so this is a repeat of that result but with the goals going the other way. Durban City have now drawn three of their five matches and remain without a victory. Richards Bay have drawn three games and lost two, and this point keeps them in the bottom half without pulling them clear of danger.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 62 – 38

Shots on target 5 – 5

Shots off target 9 – 2

Big chances 0 – 1

⚽ 9' N. Xulu — Goal ⇄ 46' T. Morris — Substitution ⇄ 46' L. Khumalo — Substitution ⇄ 46' T. Nodada — Substitution ⇄ 46' K. Mofokeng — Substitution ⚽ 69' T. Sikhakhane — Own goal ⚽ 70' T. Sikhakhane — Own goal ⇄ 75' S. Barns — Substitution ⇄ 79' G. Sirino — Substitution ⇄ 79' J. Mokone — Substitution ⇄ 81' T. Gumede — Substitution ⇄ 84' N. Xulu — Substitution

Match events

9' Richards Bay Goal N. Xulu
46' Durban City Substitution T. Morris off: L. Sifumba
46' Richards Bay Substitution L. Khumalo off: L. Zikhali
46' Durban City Substitution T. Nodada off: B. Shandu
46' Durban City Substitution K. Mofokeng off: S. Maseko
69' Durban City Own goal T. Sikhakhane
70' Durban City Own goal T. Sikhakhane
75' Richards Bay Substitution S. Barns off: S. Nzama
79' Durban City Substitution G. Sirino off: H. Domingo
79' Durban City Substitution J. Mokone off: A. Doumbia
81' Richards Bay Substitution T. Gumede off: W. Ngema
84' Richards Bay Substitution N. Xulu off: N. Bomelo

Statistics

62 Possession, % 38

5 Shots on target 5

9 Shots off target 2

0 Big chances 1

147 Attacks 106

9 Corners 4

10 Fouls 14

13 Free kicks 10

2 Offsides 4

0 Yellow cards 0

0 Red cards 0

7 Goal kicks 10

41 Throw-ins 33

All statistics

31/4865% Aerial duels 17/4835%

64 Backward passes 41

4 Blocked shots 3

18 Clearances 46

10/3727% Crosses 4/2020%

2/450% Dribbles 10/1953%

134 Failed passes 98

4 Goalkeeper saves 5

6 Interceptions 15

12 Key passes 5

31/8238% Long passes 28/8035%

89 Passes into the final third 50

314 Passes in the opposition half 195

197 Passes in own half 119

0.28 Shot accuracy 0.50

5 Shots from outside the box 6

13 Shots inside the box 4

16/16100% Tackles 8/1080%

474 Total passes 294

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