Betway Premiership
Matchday 21
AmaZulu vs Richards Bay
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Durban, South Africa
Saturday, 14 March 2026
Kick-off is at 16:00
AmaZulu FC claimed a late victory in another KwaZulu-Natal derby, defeating Richards Bay 2-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The result was the first win at home since January for Usuthu, who moved up to fourth on the
Betway Premiership standings with 34 points.
Richards Basy fell to their second league loss in a row and now sit 12th on the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Thulani Gumede created the first chase of the game in the 6th minute, shifting inside from the midfield towards the box and unleashing a strike from distance which flew wide of the posts.
Usuthu were forced to make an early change in the 11th minute as Siyanda Hlangabeza was withdrawn due to injury and replaced by Mondli Mbanjwa.
In the 12th minute, Riaan Hanamub crossed the ball into the box, finding Athini Maqokola who laid the ball off for Hendrick Ekstein. However, Ekstein could not get the connection he needed and sent the ball over the bar.
Thabiso Kutumela attempted to find the target from the edge of the area in the 21st minute. His effort hit Sandile Mthethwa, who turned to fire at goal but did not have the power to beat the goalkeeper, Ian Otieno.
Usuthu broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion in the 28th minute. Kutumela hit a superb freekick, curling the ball into the top right corner and leaving Otieno no chance to stop it.
Richards Bay nearly responded in the 32nd minute as Simphiwe Mcineka’s header from the centre of the box was blocked after a dangerous cross from Sanele Barns.
The Natal Rich Boys levelled matters in the 41st minute through Barns, who reopened his account for the club. Thulani Gumede’s cross found Barns perfectly, who slipped between two defenders for a free header, burying it into the back of the net.
They nearly bagged another in the first minute of the second half as AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela spilled a cross into the path of Lundi Mahala. He squared the ball for Thulani Gumede who turned and fired but was denied.
In the 57th minute, Zikhali tried his luck from distance but did not trouble Mzimela, who made a comfortable save.
As the game reached the dying stages, Usuthu pounced and took the lead in the 83rd minute. Richards Bay were caught committing too many men forward, and AmaZulu FC booted the ball forward to halfway for Ekstein. He combined with Tebogo Mashigo on the counter and went on to sell his defender with a step-over before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Deep in stoppage time, the hosts failed to add a third goal to their tally. While Richards Bay penalty cries fell on deaf ears, AmaZulu FC broke forward, facing a three-on-three. Bayanda Thabede ended up with the ball, but sent his effort well over the target from the edge of the area.
AmaZulu will continue their quest for a spot in the top three as they face Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Richards Bay will look for redemption as they face another local rival, Durban City, at the Chatsworth Stadium next Sunday.
AmaZulu (1) 2 (Kutumela 28’, Ekstein 83’)
Richards Bay (1) 1 (Barns 41’)
AmaZulu: O. Mzimela, N. Radebe, R. Hanamub, S. Mthethwa, T. Fielies, K. Allan, L. Mhlongo (S. Zikhali 64’), S. Hlangabeza (M. Mbanjwa 11’), T. Kutumela (T. Mashigo 79’), A. Maqokola (B. Thabede 65’), H. Ekstein
Richards Bay: I. Otieno, T. Sikhakhane (L. Mabuya 60’), S. Mntungwa, S. Zulu, S. Mcineka, T. Mthethwa, T. Gumede (W. Ngema 85’), M. Mthembu (L. Khumalo 85’), L. Mahala (K. Mutizwa 72’), L. Zikhali, S. Barns (S. Nzama 84’)
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