Richards Bay FC gave their survival bid a big boost with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over AmaZulu on Tuesday night.
Austin Dube replaced the suspended Simphiwe Mcineka, while Celimpilo Ngema was amongst the changes for Usuthu following the win over Chippa United.
Both teams looked to a settled opening spell and managed to go at each other with a number of forward entries and passes but neither were able to capitalise.
Khuda Muyaba came close for the host past the half-hour mark through a pin-point header after meeting a cross, but Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa made the stop.
AmaZulu showed more effectiveness ten minutes to halftime and saw Augustine Mulenga out on the far side following a cross and calmly fired in the near post,
Myaba missed another chance just before the break when he scooped over from an inviting goal after meeting a first-time pass inside the area.
The two rivals made key substitutions after halftime, as Yanela Mbuthuma replaced Somila Ntsundwana for Richards Bay before AmaZulu introduced Sede Dion for Victor Letsoalo.
Mbuthuma came alive following a quiet start to proceedings and drew a save of Mothwa with a pin-point header after meeting a right-sided cross.
The Natal Rich Boys didn’t stop probing and were rewarded midway through the second half when substitute Justice Figareido picked up a loose ball from a goal-mouth scramble and rifled past Mothwa.
Richards Bay continued to show courage with the visitors eager to go back ahead and went ahead after an unmarked Sanele Barns showed up in the box and nodded into the bottom-corner.
With Usuthu pushing for a response well in the closing exchanges, the Natal Rich Boys remained calm and picked up the win to boost their relegation fight.
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Ndaba, Mthethwa, Dube, Malepe, Mthembu, Barns, Myaba, Mhlongo, Ntsundwana
Subs: Jacobs, Mabua, Makhubela, Figareido, Gumede, Makateng, Mbuthuma, Komane, Mohlamme
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Jooste, Hanamub, Mphahlele, Fielies, Motshwari,Ngema, Mbanjwa, Letsoalo, Mulenga, Ekstein
Subs: Mbanjwa, Ngobeni, Sikhakhane, Gumede, Brooks, Moremi, Ndlovu, Dion, Kwem
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