Staff Reporter.
Richards Bay took control of top spot after their narrow 1-0 win over University of Pretoria in the PSL Promotion/Playoff tie played at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
This after Baroka suspended their coach Dan “Dance” Malesela at the back of a 1-0 loss to AmaTuks at the weekend.
Malesela has been replaced with former Chippa United coach Morgan Mammila.
It remains to be seen what impact the recent changes will have on the Limpopo-based side’s Premiership ambitions.
In the 22nd minute, the home fans were sent into wild cheers when bulky marksman Somila Nsundwana curled an effort from just inside the box and into the top corner to give his side the crucial 1-0 lead.
It could’ve been 2-0 in the 36th minute but Yanela Bhuthuma fluffed his shot from the right which was cleared from danger by the Tuks defence.
Four minutes before the half-time whistle went, the Natal Rich Boyz came agonizingly close once again when Nsundwana found Bhuthuma on the edge of the box. His shot however sailed just over the Tuks crossbar.
The second-half was relatively quiet, and it was only until the 62nd minute when there was a goalmouth scramble in the Bay 18-yard box. The hosts equally dealt well with the ball to clear it from danger.
In the end, Richards Bay held on to claim the maximum points ahead of their clash against Baroka on Saturday, June 8, at Global Stadium.