Following their convincing 4-0 win over Baroka in the final game of the PSL relegation/promotion play-offs on Wednesday, Richards Bay has officially retained their DStv Premiership status.
Richards Bay and Baroka locked horns at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Kwazulu-Natal on Wednesday afternoon.
Thanks to a brace by striker Somila Ntsundwana and outgoing Sanele Barnes, the Natal Rich Boys survived relegation.
The result means that Baroka and the University of Pretoria (AmaTuks) will ply their trade in the Motsepe Foundation Championship once again next season.
Richards Bay went into the game needing only a draw, as they were level on five points with AmaTuks. While Baroka finished at the bottom of the table with two points.
However, the KZN-based outfit had other plans for the day. They walloped coach Morgan Mammila’s Bakgakga and put three goals past them.
The home side started the game with intent, as they took the game to the visitors and created goal-scoring opportunities. And young striker Thato Mohlamme came close to breaking the deadlock.
Visitors also had a fair share of goal-scoring chances
The visitors also had a fair share of goal-scoring opportunities. But it was Richards Bay that opened the scoring first. They did this through Ntsundwana in the 37th minute with an acrobatic finish at close range.
At the stroke of halftime, Barnes doubled their lead with a well-worked free kick from a long way out. It took a wicked deflection and left goalkeeper Katlego Molefe with no chance but to look, stare, and admire the ball roll inside the back of the net.
The second half was no different as coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s side picked up from where they left off. Ntsundwana got his second goal of the match in the 62nd minute when they caught Baroka on a counterattack.
Lwandile Mabuya sealed off the victory with an 87th-minute strike and guided the Natal Rich Boys to an easy 4-0 win.
For Baroka and AmaTuks it’s back to the drawing board and another long season at the Mostepe Foundation. While Richards Bay will look to beef up their squad and do better next season.
