AmaZulu FC were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match played at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday night.
Therefore, Usuthu remained 12th in the standings, but they are just two points behind eighth-placed Kaizer Chiefs. Coach Pablo Franco Martin will be looking to ensure that the Durban-based giants return to winning ways against Stellenbosch FC on 8 May in the Western Cape.
The match got off to a lively start with neither side happy to sit back and defend. The Natal Rich Boys had a chance to break the deadlock through Khuda Myaba whose effort was well-saved by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa a minute after the hour-half mark.
However, Usuthu did not make a mistake when they were presented with a great goalscoring opportunity in the 36th minute. Augustine Mulenga beat keeper Magoola with a lovely finish with Celimpilo Ngema providing the assist and AmaZulu were leading 1-0 at the interval.
The hosts decided to introduce attack-minded Figuareido after the restart as they looked to level matters. The Eswatini international made an immediate impact as he scored with a fine finish to make it 1-1 in the 70th minute much to the delight of the home crowd.
The Natal Rich Boys then pushed for a late winning goal and they got it through eventual Man of the Match Sanele Barns in the 86th minute. The former University of Pretoria star turned home Nkoskhona Ndaba’s fantastic cross to seal Richards Bay’s 2-1 victory on the night.
Richards (0) 2 (Figuareido 70′, Barns 86′)
AmaZulu (1) 1 (Mulenga 36′)
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Ndaba, Mthethwa, Dube, Malepe (Komane 81′), Mthembu (Mabua 88′), Barns, Myaba (Mbuthuma 46′), Mhlongo (Figuareido 67′), Ntsundwana (T. Gumede 46′).
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Jooste, Mphahlele, Fielies, Hanamub, Mothwari (Ndlovu 85′), Ngema, Mbanjwa (Brooks 64′), Letsoalo (Dion 46′), Mulenga (Moremi 64′), Ekstein (Kwem 85′).
