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Natal Rich Boyz dump Citizens out of Carling Knockout

football25 October 2025 16:00| © Backpage TXT
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Richards Bay kept their Carling Knockout hopes alive after they battled back from behind to beat Durban City 3-1 in the quarterfinals at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Saturday.

The Natal Rich Boyz looked more dangerous in the opening 45 minutes, but the score remained unchanged at halftime before Trevor Mokwena broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half.

Knox Mutizwa then scored a dramatic equaliser six minutes from time and Nombengula Mbulelo gave Ronnie Gabriel's side the lead for the first time on 100 minutes, while Lundi Mahala added a third goal late on to secure their passage to the semifinals.

The possession stakes were fairly even in the first half, although Richards Bay made better use of the ball as they attempted almost three times as many shots at goal as the opposition.

The hosts threatened for the first time on 10 minutes when Simphiwe Mcineka fired over the crossbar after being set up by Tlakusani Mthethwa from a corner.

Gabadinho Mhango was in the thick of the action as the half progressed, seeing his shot drift wide of the target in the 25th minute before forcing Darren Keet into a save on the volley 16 minutes later following good work from Mutizwa.

The Malawian striker was presented with another opportunity on 44 minutes after latching onto Mfundo Thikazi's cross, but he failed to test Keet with another wayward effort.

However, it was City who drew first blood early in the second half as Saziso Magawana ran onto Letsie Koapeng's flick-on and squared the ball for Mokwena, who drilled a first-time shot in off the left post from range to open the scoring.

Gabriel made a couple of changes with 20 minutes left on the clock and substitute Lindokuhle Zikhali looked to make a swift impact with a venomous strike that just cleared the bar on 74 minutes.

The Citizens weren't able to defend their slender lead though, as Richards Bay hit back six minutes from time through Mutizwa, who slotted home after being set up by Sbani Mntungwa.

Extra time beckoned and the Natal Rich Boyz got off to a flying start when Mbulelo struck 10 minutes after the restart to put them ahead in the cup-tie.

The visitors struggled to create any chances of note in the remaining 20 minutes and Richards Bay sealed the comeback win at the death with a goal from Mahala.

Richards Bay (0) 3 (Mutizwa 84', Mbulelo 100', Mahala 120')

Durban City (0) 1 (Mokwena 52')

Richards Bay: I. Otieno, L. Mabuya, S. Mcineka, S. Zulu, S. Mntungwa, M. Thikazi (L. Zikhali 70'), T. Zuke (L. Mtshali 71'), T. Mthethwa (M. Mthembu 120'), K. Mutizwa (T. Mabua 118'), T. Ndelu (N. Mbulelo 78'), G. Mhango (L. Mahala 64').

Durban City: D. Keet, K. Maphathe, S. Ncanana (J. Kamatuka 104'), M. Mkhize, T. Mashego, T. Mokwena, A. Jodwana (T. Nodada 65'), K. Jurgens (B. Poggenpoel 65'), S. Magawana (S. Maseko 66'), H. Domingo (T. Goedeman 74'), L. Koapeng (J. Lwamba 83').

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