KAITANO WINS BATTLE OF COACHES WITH ZIM LINKS

KAITANO Tembo won the battle of coaches with a Zimbabwean link when his Rchards Bay edged Sean Connor’s Cape Town Spurs 1-0 at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

It was the Natal Rich Boys only SECOND league win of the season.

Irishman Connor is a former CAPS United coach.

After 12 DStv Premiership matches, Kaitano’s Richards Bay finally chalked up their second win of the season.

The two teams are marooned at the bottom of the standings, and going into the match, each team had won one match to date. 

Spurs remain rock-bottom on three points, and Richards Bay remain second last with nine points.

The only goal of the match was scored by Thato Mohlamme in the 72nd minute. 

As a second-half substitute, he joined the fray on the hour mark, and intervened with great impact by landing the decisive goal.

Richards Bay’s usual playing pattern of 4-1-4-1 proved effective in the opening stages because it provided the team with the ability to exert a high press.

In the opening 15 minutes, Richards Bay fashioned a few scoring chances. 

However, midfielders Boikanyo Komane, Sanele Barns and Yamela Mbuthuma, the lone striker failed to capitalise.

Once Spurs survived the early onslaught, they gained the initiative. 

By the time referee Luxolo Badi blew for halftime, they had managed an overwhelming share of possession. 

Despite this glut of possession, no real scoring chances emerged.

Their goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom was well supported by his four-man defence who showed a penchant for launching attacking sorties from deep options.

At the other end, goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane was called on to make two first-half saves. 

Spurs managed only a few shots on target and were mostly goal-shy in the striking zone. 

Mabokgwane, too, was superbly supported by the four-man rearguard who stifled Spurs’ attacks long before they reached the penalty area.

After the break, Richards Bay saw more of the ball and they made frequent entries deep into the Spurs’ half, without making an impact. − Sports Reporter/IOL.