Richards Bay heap more misery on slumping Kaizer Chiefs

Richards Bay FC condemned Kaizer Chiefs to their fourth successive defeat, claiming a hard-fought 1-0 victory in a Betway Premiership clash at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Tuesday night.

A solitary second-half strike from Thulani Gumede was enough to secure maximum points for the Natal Rich Boys, leaving the Glamour Boys reeling after a disastrous week. The result sees Richards Bay climb to ninth on the log with 23 points, while the pressure on Amakhosi intensifies.

Entering the match under immense scrutiny following a 3-0 Soweto Derby drubbing and a previous loss to Stellenbosch FC, Chiefs co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef gave a debut to Nkanyiso Shinga.

The opening exchanges were fast-paced, with both sides searching for an early breakthrough. Chiefs dominated the corner count early on, with Ethan Chislett and Asanele Velebayi looking lively, but they struggled to trouble Ian Otieno in the Richards Bay goal.

Counter-Attack Stings Kaizer Chiefs

The hosts grew into the game, forcing Bruce Bvuma into several saves around the 23rd minute as Sanele Barns and Moses Mthembu tested the Amakhosi shot-stopper from distance.

Chiefs’ best chance of the half fell to Aden McCarthy, whose headed effort from a Gastón Sirino cross flashed agonisingly wide of the upright just before the break.

The second stanza remained a cagey affair until the hour mark, prompting the Chiefs bench to ring the changes. Mduduzi Shabalala and Makabi Lilepo were introduced for Sirino and Chislett in an attempt to spark life into the attack.

However, the deadlock was broken at the other end. In the 69th minute, Richards Bay launched a devastating counter-attack. Sanele Barns turned provider, finding Thulani Gumede in the centre of the box, who clinically slotted his right-footed shot into the bottom left corner to send the home crowd into raptures.

Late Drama as Kaizer Chiefs goalie Bvuma Keeps Scoreline Respectable

Chiefs threw everything forward in the closing stages, introducing Ashley Du Preez and Luke Baartman, but the Richards Bay defence stood firm.

The final five minutes of stoppage time were frantic. Richards Bay nearly doubled their lead when Wandile Ngema rattled the right post. Bvuma was then forced into a series of heroic saves, denying Lindokuhle Zikhali twice in the dying seconds to prevent a heavier defeat.

Ultimately, the Soweto giants could not find an equaliser, marking a four-match winless streak across all competitions—a run that includes their recent exit from the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Zamalek.

Having led the pack earlier in the season, the Glamour Boys are now rooted in fifth place with 30 points from 18 games. They currently sit 11 points adrift of leaders Orlando Pirates, with their hopes of a top-three finish fading rapidly amid this recent slump.

In contrast, Papi Zothwane’s Richards Bay have used the result to catapult themselves from 12th to ninth place, moving to 23 points from 19 matches. The ‘Natal Rich Boyz’ looked dangerous from the onset, creating several openings in the first half. Their best opportunity forced Bruce Bvuma into a desperate double save to keep Chiefs in the contest.

Elsewhere, Stellenbosch FC and Siwelele FC played out to a dull goalless draw at the Toyota Stadium. At Mbombela Stadium, the shock of the night saw TS Galaxy fall 2-1 to Orbit College, a result that sees the ‘Mswenko Boys’ climb out of the dreaded relegation zone.

#BetwayPrem – RESULTS:

Thulani Gumede’s strike secures victory for @RichardsBayFC_ against @KaizerChiefs.@mswenkoboyz collect maximum points against @TSGalaxy, while @Siwelele_FC and @StellenboschFC share the spoils. pic.twitter.com/73gFnAZ5Nu

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) March 3, 2026

Other Tuesday Night Results:

Orbit College FC 2-1 TS Galaxy

Stellenbosch FC 0-0 Siwelele FC