Richards Bay out to derail Chiefs' top-three bid

Richards Bay will be out to derail Kaizer Chiefs' top three bid in the Betway Premiership by securing a win over the Soweto giants at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Natal Rich Boys were brought back down to earth when their six-match unbeaten run ended following a 1-0 defeat to Magesi FC away on 11 March, having registered three wins, and three draws before losing in Limpopo.

Richards Bay are occupying the 12th spot in the Betway Premiership standings - two points above the relegation zone and a victory over Chiefs would see the KwaZulu-Natal side move further away from the bottom two spots.

Meanwhile, Chiefs extended their unbeaten run to three matches when they drew 0-0 with Cape Town City at home on 12 March and before the match, they had registered two consecutive victories.

Amakhosi find themselves placed eighth in the Betway Premiership standings - three points behind fourth-placed Stellenbosch FC and they will be targeting a win over Richards Bay in order to move closer to the top three teams.

TEAM NEWS

Richards Bay will be without the services of two key players, namely Tlakusani Mthethwa and Keegan Allan, as the duo is suspended coming into this league encounter.

Kaizer Chiefs, on the other hand, also have a suspension concern as Brandon Petersen is suspended, while Happy Mashiane, Rushwin Dortley, Tashreeq Morris and Samkelo Zwane are currently injured.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Richards Bay co-coach Papi Zothwane

“One thing at the back of our minds is to move from where we are because the gap is two or three points," Zothwane said.

"Our target is focusing up there and that has helped us, as we want to finish higher. So, we have to work extremely hard and not think about who is behind us.”

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi

“With all due respect to Cape Town City, we should have won the game 3-0 or 4-0. But we needed to score, and we didn’t," Nabi said.

"It’s my responsibility. I don’t want to attack my players - I need to protect them and help them improve.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Thabiso Kutumela, Richards Bay: The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns forward grabbed the winning goal against Sekhukhune United last week, and he will be keen to inspire the Natal Rich Boys to another win.

Glody Lilepo, Kaizer Chiefs: Boasting three goals, one assist, and two Man of the Match awards since joining Amakhosi in January, the former AS Vita Club star could be the player to propel the team to a win in Durban.

Head-to-Head

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2022/23 Chiefs 1-0 Bay Solomons (pen)

2022/23 Bay 0-1 Chiefs Ngezana

2023/24 Chiefs 1-0 Bay Nk. Ngcobo

2023/24 Bay 1-0 Chiefs Mcineka

2024/25 Chiefs 2-1 Bay Duba, Du Preez; Mbuthuma

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2022/23)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Bay 2 1 0 1 1 1

Chiefs 3 3 0 0 4 1

Away

P W D L GF GA

Bay 3 0 0 3 1 4

Chiefs 2 1 0 1 1 1

Total

P W D L GF GA

Bay 5 1 0 4 2 5

Chiefs 5 4 0 1 5 2