Richards Bay FC became the latest team to advance to the Nedbank Cup last 16 after an entertaining 3-2 victory over Polokwane City on Saturday evening.
The host started veteran Jackson Mabokgwane in goal, whilst City had key striker Douglas Mapfumo leading the line.
Richards Bay desperately looked to get on the front-foot through a few half-chances, but the travelling side sat deep and absorbed all of the pressure.
Mapfumo, though, turned up for the visitors from the Limpopo province and got the opener when he tucked in Stevens Goovadia’s delivery inside the half-hour mark.
The lead was cancelled in the matter of minutes when Justice Figareido combined to good effect with Sanele Barns and nestled the back of the net.
Richards Bay took the lead five minutes apart after full-back Nkosikhona Ndaba’s cross into box connected with Thulani Gumede, who needed no invitation to convert from close-range.
With halftime on the horizon, City’s attention shifted to the bench and introduced Thabang Matuludi in the place of Obed Thuto.
As the Natal Rich Boys entered the break ahead, Rise and Shine didn’t drop their heads but remained level-headed in the hope of a comeback.
That rose to the fore as the visiting team inevitably got back on equal footing through substitute Matuludi, who dispatched Ramabu’s cross
Nonetheless, the Natal Rich Boys were ahead again towards the final 20 minutes when Gumede finished off from Sanele Barns’ assist and completed his brace.
Richards Bay didn’t lose the lead on this occasion but contained the Rise and Shine pretty well to see out the win and entered the second round of the competition.
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Mabokgwane, Mabuya, Ndaba, Dube, Mcineka, Komane, Barns, Mthembu, Miyaba, Figareido, Gumede
Subs: Manqele, Mthethwa, Mbuthuma, Makateng, Mabaso, Dlamini, Nstundwana, Mhlongo
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Nikani, Thuto, Baloyi, Mashikinya, Kambala, Goovadia, Nkaki, Mapfumo, Ramabu, Raphadu
Subs: Mokwena, Nana, Mabena, Matuludi, Maphangule, Tshabalala, Baloli, Alexander
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