Richards Bay claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chippa United in the Betway Premiership match played at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday night.

The result saw the Natal Rich Boys record their first victory of the season and they climbed to the 13th spot. The KwaZulu-Natal side will be away to Siwelele FC on August 29.

The Chilli Boys, on the other hand, remain at the bottom of the standings as they remain winless. The Eastern Cape outfit will be desperate for a win when they host Orlando Pirates on August 31.

The Chilli Boys suffered a blow five minutes after the half-hour mark as their inspirational captain Stanley Nwabali went down injured and he was replaced by Elson Sithole, who was making his Chippa debut.

Frank Gabadinho Mhango then pounced and scored to hand Richards Bay the lead in first-half stoppage time after the Chilli Boys had failed to clear their lines. The score was 1-0 to Richards Bay at halftime.

A relatively quiet second-half followed as Chippa pushed for the equalising goal, while the hosts looked to double their lead to kill off the match. However, the goal never came and the match ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Richards Bay.

Richards (1) 1 (Mhango 45'+4)

Chippa (0) 0

RICHARDS: Magoola, Vilakazi, Mntungwa, Mabua, Mcineka, Zuke, Mthembu, Ndelu (Zikhali 62'), Mhango (Mangolo 82'), Mahala (Bomelo 90'+5)

CHIPPA: Nwabali (E. Sithole 35'), Kammies, Fasika, Malaoa, Modise, Maningwana, Mosele (Seabi 84'), Dlamini (X. Sithole 46'), Mfecane, Ntsundwana (Philander 46'), Figareido (Matrose 84')