Richards Bay down high-flying Moroka Swallows for first win of the season

By SABC Sport
15th September 2023

Richards Bay finally have something to smile about after a tough start to the DStv Premiership season as they held on for a 1-0 win over Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium.

The Natal Rich Boys headed into this match winless in their first five games with just two points to their name, but looked refreshed after the international break as they halted Swallows' run of back-to-back victories thanks to Justice Figuareido's strike early second-half strike.

Despite the win, Richards Bay still lie in 15th place on the table but are now five points clear of struggling Cape Town Spurs in last place, who are still searching for their first point of the campaign. Swallows stay in the large logjam of teams on seven points and remain sixth on the table. A win could have seen them rise as high as second.

Swallows had a great chance to take the lead via Tshegofatso Mabasa early in the second half, while Figuareido also directed a header goalwards as the visitors made their presence felt.

Richards Bay probably should have taken the lead just before half-time when Somila Ntsundwana somehow conspired to miss the target, but luckily for him, it would not end up costing his team.

Ten minutes into the second half, the visitors struck when Figuareido latched onto a cross from Sanele Barns and found the back of the net with a well-directed strike.

Swallows' best chance to level came when Keenan Phillips hit the upright with what looked like it could have been an attempted cross. The ball rebounded to Gabadinho Mhango, but he blazed his shot over the net as Richards Bay escaped.

The best chances late in the match, however, fell to the visitors, with Phillips and Yanela Mbuthuma both coming close to adding to their tally as they deservedly held on for all three points.