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Richards Bay started life after Zimbabwean coach Kaitano Tembo by showing character as they came from behind to claim a 3-1 win over SuperSport United in a DStv Premiership matchat the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Tembo was fired on Christmas Day after a poor start to the season.
Despite the win, the Natal Rich Boys remained 15th in the league standings, but they are four points behind 14th-placed Sekhukhune United. Richards Bay will now take on Polokwane City after the Afcon break on February 14.
SuperSport, on the other hand, remained second in the standings after their three-match winning streak came to an end. Matsatsantsa will play host to Sekhukhune United on 13 February after the break.
Matsatsantsa exerted pressure on the Natal Rich Boys’ defence from the first minute and the visitors were awarded a penalty after Moses Mthembu was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box in the 17th minute.
Ghampani Lungu then beat goalkeeper Salim Magoola from the spot to make it 1-0 for SuperSport. However, Matsatsantsa were reduced to 10 players in the 37th minute when Ime Okon was shown a straight red card.
Okon’s dismissal for denying the Natal Rich Boys a clear goalscoring opportunity boosted the hosts’ confidence. Parity was restored in the 41st minute when Sanele Barns set up Austin Dube who netted with a header and the score was 1-1 at halftime.
The home side got off to the perfect start in the second half as they took the lead for the first time in the 47th minute. Keeper Salim Magoola’s long ball found Somila Ntsundwana, who fired past Goss to hand Richards Bay a 2-1 lead.
SuperSport pushed for the equalising goal, but they were left vulnerable at the back. They were punished with nine minutes left on the clock as Barns set up Thulani Gumede, who netted with a well-taken shot to seal Richards Bay’s 3-1 win.
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Ndaba, Mthembu (Mhlongo 47’), Dube, Komane, Barns, Moses, Ntsundwana (Mbuthuma 79’), Figareido (Makateng 79’), Thu Gumede (Tho Gumede 90’+3).
SuperSport United: Goss, Johannes, Okon, Baloyi, Lungu (Matodzi 78’), Margeman, Moralo (Xulu 44’), Ndlovu (Mfolozi 79’), Lakay, Campbell (Dzvukamanja 46’), Grobler (Ighodaro 85’). — SuperSport.
Online Reporter