With Tuesday’s results creating more congestion in the DStv Premiership table from third place all the way to the bottom, second place was up for grabs and top division newcomers Richards Bay were able to take advantage on Wednesday. After ninety minutes of a closely fought battle with fellow Kwazulu-Natal side AmaZulu, the Natal Rich Boys took three points in Durban with a smash and grab winner in second half stoppage time. A free kick service from Sanele Barns out wide saw the AmaZulu defense fail to clear before substitute Sakhile Hlongwa collected in traffic and smashed his shot off the crossbar, the ball bouncing down and off the arm of stunned goalkeeper Veli Mothwa to rebound back into the net.
The later match on Wednesday featured a Soweto Derby duel between struggling Swallows FC and Kaizer Chiefs. Hosts Swallows put together some nice attacking movements but failed to put a shot on target before a late first half surge from Chiefs put the visitors beyond reach. Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana put his tall frame in excellent position to pounce on a well placed cross from Kgaogelo Sekgota, nodding the ball past goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala.
The nightmare end to the half was completed for Swallows when playmaker Keagan Dolly tapped his free kick to Ashley du Preez who laid off for Dolly to curl a beauty past Tshabalala. Waseem Isaacs struck one back for Swallows but the Dube Birds are now in last place through nine matches following the home defeat. Kaizer Chiefs move up to fifth place, tied on fourteen points with SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates.
Highlights from both matches are below.
Scores
AmaZulu 0-1 Richards Bay
Swallows FC 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Highlights
AmaZulu 0-1 Richards Bay
Swallows FC 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs