Mhango rescues a late point for Natal Rich Boyz

Richards Bay took advantage of adverse weather conditions as they battled back from behind to clinch a 1-1 draw with Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Rise And Shine led 1-0 at the break courtesy of Mokibelo Ramabu's 31st-minute opener, but lightning caused a lengthy delay and the Natal Rich Boyz came out with renewed purpose in the second half.

Gabadinho Mhango eventually equalised from the penalty spot in the 86th minute to take Ronnie Gabriel's side three points clear of the bottom two in 12th place, with Polokwane leapfrogging Durban City into fifth position.

Both teams were targeting a return to winning ways, with City having been beaten 1-0 by Orlando Pirates on October 22, while Richards Bay suffered a 2-1 defeat against Orbit College five days prior.

The hosts just shaved the possession stakes in the first half and they made better use of the ball, creating more than double the amount of chances as did the Natal Rich Boyz.

Brian Bwire was called into action first through, when he turned Thabisa Ndelu's shot behind for a corner on 20 minutes following good work from Mhango to pick out the midfielder inside the box.

However, the breakthrough came at the other end 11 minutes later as Ramabu slotted home to make it two goals in three games for Rise And Shine.

The woodwork also came to Ian Otieno's rescue and the Limpopo outfit went into the interval one goal to the good.

The game was then delayed by lightning and it seemed to stymie City's momentum as the visitors started to create much more chances as the second half progressed.

Bwire was required to make two saves and Mfundo Thikazi went close with a strike that flashed over the crossbar on 77 minutes after Mhango and Knox Mutizwa linked up well to set him up.

Richards Bay were presented with a golden opportunity to restore parity when Lundi Mahala was brought down inside the box and Mhango kept his cool to convert the resulting penalty with four minutes left on the clock and earn his team a share of the spoils.

Polokwane City (1) 1 (Ramabu 31')

Richards Bay (0) 1 (Mhango 86' PEN)

Polokwane City: B. Bwire, T. Matuludi, M. Mvundlela, L. Nkaki, T. Nkwe, M. Kambala, M. Ramabu, N. Maphangule, B. Dlamini (R. Daniels 80'), S. Tshabalala (L. Mashiane 87'), M. Seketso (S. Kelepu 80').

Richards Bay: I. Otieno, L. Mabuya (H. Vilakazi 84'), S. Mcineka, S. Zulu, S. Mntungwa, K. Mutizwa, T. Zuke (L. Mahala 84'), T. Ndelu (N. Mbulelo 56'), L. Zikhali, M. Thikazi, G. Mhango (O. Nzimande 90').