AmaZulu Dominates Struggling Richards Bay
AmaZulu inflicted more misery on Richards Bay, dominating the Betway Premiership match with a 3-1 victory at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
Arriving at this match, Bay had recently dismissed their coach, Brandon Truter, on Thursday after a defeat against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday.
Chairman Sifiso Biyela appointed Sibusiso Msomi, Ronnie Gabriel, and Siboniso Gumede to manage the club’s operations on an interim basis while they search for a new head coach.
While a new voice in the locker room can often inspire players, this time it did not produce the desired effect. They faced an Usuthu side eager to escape the bottom of the standings.
Rowan Human gave Usuthu the lead in the first half, converting a cutback from Tshepang Moremi. Despite creating several opportunities, Usuthu could not extend their lead.
Moremi squandered a great chance to double Usuthu’s lead in the 40th minute as his shot was expertly saved by Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno, who nearly made a blunder in the process. The first half concluded with AmaZulu leading 1-0.
Richards Bay made tactical substitutions, bringing on Thando Buthelezi and Langelihle Mhlongo for Siyethemba Sithebe and Moses Mthembu at the start of the second half, hoping to turn the game around.
The first 10 minutes of the second half saw both teams create numerous scoring chances but fail to find the net. However, Etiosa Ighodaro extended Usuthu’s lead with a powerful header from a Wayde Jooste free kick in the 66th minute. Just two minutes later, Bafana Bafana midfielder Ethan Brooks made it 3-0, calmly slotting the ball home at the near post after advancing unchallenged.
Despite resisting, Bay’s efforts were finally rewarded when Yanela Mbuthuma found the net during added time after a scramble in the box, scoring a well-taken consolation goal. This marked Mbuthuma’s second consecutive goal, having also scored in their 2-1 loss to Chiefs earlier in the week.
As a result of this defeat, Richards Bay has fallen to the bottom of the Betway Premiership standings, while AmaZulu has risen to 14th place.