Chiefs woes continue with another league loss

Richards Bay FC © Backpagepix

Richards Bay claimed their first win of 2026 in the Betway Premiership while Kaizer Chiefs sunk to their third straight loss in the league as they fell 1-0 at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay on Tuesday.

The Natal Rich Boys had failed to claim a win in their last four league games before their triumph over AmaKhosi, while Chiefs have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions.

The hosts made no changes to their side that was held to a goalless draw against Orbit College last week, while the Glamour Boys made six changes following their Soweto Derby loss at the weekend.

Inacio Miguel was replaced by Bradley Cross as he picked up an injury in warm up. Nkanyiso Shinga made his debut for the club, while Sibongiseni Mthethwa made his return from injury.

The first real opportunity of the game fell for Richards Bay in the 10th minute. Simphiwe Mcineka found himself on the end of the home side’s corner and attempted to flick it on towards goal, but had his effort sent behind by Shinga.

The hosts should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute. Moses Mthembu fired a well hit free kick at Bruce Bvuma, which was punched out of the area. Sanele Barns fired the ball back at the goalkeeper, forcing him into a diving save. The rebound fell kindly for Lundi Mahala who missed from close range, pulling his shot across the face of an empty goal.

In the 34th minute, Gastón Sirino found Dillon Solomons out wide on the counter attack. The right back fired a cross into the box, looking for Ethan Chislett. However, Thembela Sikhakhane got himself between Chislett and the ball to deny AmaKhosi a potential opener.

Sibongiseni Mthethwa was shown a yellow card in the 36th minute for a deliberate handball in the middle of the park. As a result, he will miss Chiefs’ next game with a suspension.

The visitors missed a golden opportunity to take the lead from a free kick in the 43rd minute, as Sirino’s delivery found Aden McCarthy onside and open. However, the defender could not direct his header on target.

In stoppage time, Chislett’s cross found Sirino at the back post, but again the Chiefs player could not make the connection needed to trouble the goalkeeper.

Barns attempted another crack from beyond the area in the 54th minute, but had his attempt blocked.

McCarthy and Mahala were involved in a scuffle in the 67th minute which saw both of them receive yellow cards. McCarthy will also miss Chiefs’ next fixture as a result.

In the 68th minute, Chiefs broke forward through substitute Mduduzi Shabalala who found fellow substitute Glody Lilepo in the box with a clever pass. However the Congolese winger was dispossessed.

On the resulting counter attack, Barns was found upfield as AmaKhosi attempted to retreat. The defender cut the ball across the edge of the box to Thulani Gumede, who stopped on a dime and cut onto his right foot, slotting the ball past Bvuma to put the hosts in the lead.

The Natal Rich Boys should have doubled their lead in the 91st minute. They broke on the counter, finding Gumede going forward. The winger played substitute Knox Mutizwa through, who had a golden opportunity denied. The rebound fell to Gumede who returned it to Mutozwa, who was denied again. Bvuma was called into action once more in quick succession, tipping Lindokuhle Zikhali’s header behind.

In the 95th minute, Bvuma produced another double save to deny the hosts. Mutizwa headed the ball across the box for substitute Wandile Ngema whose attempt to find the bottom right corner was denied. Zikhali’s follow-up was stopped yet again.

AmaKhosi will look to break their streak as they face Durban City at FNB Stadium on 15 March.

The Natal Rich Boys are next in action next week Wednesday against league leaders Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Richards Bay (0) 1 (Gumede 69’)

Kaizer Chiefs 0

Richards Bay: I. Otieno, T. Sikhakhane, S. Mntungwa, S. Zulu (L. Mabuya 88’, Z. Sbangani 88’), S. Mcineka, T. Mthethwa, T. Gumede, M. Mthembu (T. Nashixwa 80’), L. Mahala (K. Mutizwa 72’), L. Zikhali, S. Barns (W. Ngema 71’)

Kaizer Chiefs: B. Bvuma, N. Shinga, A. McCarthy, B. Cross, D. Solomons, S. Mthethwa (N. Ngcobo 70’), L. Maboe, E. Chislett (M. Shabalala 58’), A. Velebayi (A. Du Preez 80’), G. Sirino (G. Lilepo 57’), F. Silva (L. Baartman 70’)

© Backpage TXT