Kaizer Chiefs’ struggles in the DStv Premiership continue as they suffered their third defeat in a row after losing 1-0 to Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Sunday.
The defeat for Chiefs means that they have registered one point in their last five games – losing four and drawing one and dropped further down to the bottom half of the log to number ten.
Also, Amakhosi last scored a goal against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby early in March.
In what was an emotional day for Chiefs just a day after the funeral of slain defender Luke Fleurs laid to rest in Cape Town on Saturday, the Soweto giants were desperate to return to winning ways against a relegation threatened Richards Bay.
The Glamour Boys started the game on the front foot, as they had most of the ball possession and created more goal scoring opportunities.
Skillful midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala had the most clear-cut chance to score when defender Edmilson Dove set him up with an exquisite through pass and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Salim Magoola kept him at bay and went into the break goalless.
In the 66th minute, the home side broke the deadlock through captain Simphiwe Mcineka, who was unmarked in the near post and headed the ball in from a well-worked corner kick from Sanele Barnes.
Chiefs almost made an immediate response, but Ashley du Preez saw his effort from range denied by the woodwork.
Coach Cavin Johnson reacted and made four changes, which saw Reeve Frosler, Ranga Chivaviro, Samkelo Zwane and teenage sensation Mfundo Vilakazi introduced.
Du Preez was close to scoring again when his deflected shot almost caught Magoola, but the Ugandan shotstopper denied the speedy forward and punched the ball out for a corner.
The Glamour Boys kept on pushing in search of an equaliser but it was not meant to be as the Natal Rich Boys snatched all three points in their quest to move out of the relegation zone.
Chiefs await another difficult task, as they will lock horns with SuperSport United on Saturday before locking horns with runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on 30 April.
