Richards Bay and Magesi face off in high-stakes survival match

Richards Bay will be going up against Magesi in what could potentially be an early relegation six-pointer in the Betway Premiership at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday evening.

Kick-off is at 19:30 CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Richards Bay have lost their last two matches, one in the league against Cape Town City where the result was 2-1 and then they were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup in the Round of 32 by Orlando Pirates.

Currently placed 14th in the Betway Premiership with nine points, the Natal Rich Boyz are in the danger zone and have to pick up points in order to escape relegation.

As for Magesi, the Limpopo outfit is at the bottom of the league standings two points behind their Friday opponents. They were also knocked out of the Nedbank Cup, by SuperSport United.

Their last two league games saw them lose to Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu, keeping them rooted to 16th place.

WHAT WAS SAID

Natal Rich Boyz coach Ronnie Gabriel says that the team has to work on their finishing ahead of the match against Dikwena tsa Meetse as they’ve only scored five goals in the league after 14 matches.

“We work on these things daily, on the training ground we create these types of training sessions but we have to continue pushing them and to believe that it will turn around. So, it is painful, however, there are solutions as well,” he said.

“You know when you are down there and you look at the teams at the top, these half chances they get goes in for them, but for us, they are not going to the back of the net."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yanele Mbuthuma, Richards Bay — The 22-year-old forward scored against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup and has three goals to his name so far in the Betway Premiership. The team will be looking to feed him opportunities to score in the high pressure match that awaits them on Friday.

Wonderboy Makhubu, Magesi — The forward who is 28 years old also has three league goals to his name and will be hoping to increase his tally in order to get Magesi over the line in this crucial early relegation battle.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS (PSL only)

Season Result Scorers

2022/23 Bay 0-0 Gallants

2022/23 Gallants 0-2 Bay Barns, Mabua

2024/25 Gallants 0-0 Bay