Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Aug 26, 2026.
Richards Bay (2) 2
(Xulu 8’, 39’)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2
(Maboe 19’ pen, Ndlovu 77’)
Betway Premiership 2026/27, Round 4 (26.8.26)
Princess Mogogo stadium, KwaMashu
Amakhosi were made to come from behind twice to earn a 2-2 Betway Premiership draw against a resolute Richards Bay at Kwa Mashu’s Princess Magogo stadium on a dank Wednesday night in Durban.
Nqaba Xulu gave the home side an early lead before Lebohang Maboe levelled from the penalty spot shortly afterwards. Xulu restored Richards Bay’s lead six minutes before halftime only for Siphesihle Ndlovu to equalise again in the 77th minute.
The match started tentatively as both teams familiarised themselves with the slippery surface. Luke Baartman was first to show some intent with a rasping shot that fizzed just wide after five minutes.
Chiefs conceded a totally avoidable goal three minutes later. Playing out from the back under no pressure, Brandon Petersen found Thabo Moloisane. The left back returned the ball to the goalkeeper, whose heavy first touch gave Xulu the crucial extra split second to close him down and deflect his attempted clearance into the net from close range.
The Glamour Boys immediately tried to redeem themselves and were unlucky not to equalise in the 12th minute when Baartman’s goal bound shot was blocked with the hosts’ defence all at sea.
Amakhosi deservedly drew level in the 19th minute following an equally hapless mix-up in the Richards Bay defence that saw three teammates converge on a bouncing ball inside the box, drawing claims for handball, before Sibani Mntungwa connected with Moboe’s leg as he tried in vain to clear the ball. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Maboe picked himself up smash an unstoppable penalty into the roof of the net.
Mduduzi Shabalala went close to putting Chiefs ahead in the 21st minute with a clever free kick from outside the box that only just cleared Ian Otieno’s crossbar. Mfundo Vilakazi stung the Kenyan goalkeeper’s palms in the 32nd minute with a fierce drive from outside the box.
It would be the Natal Rich Boyz, however, who restored their advantage on 39 minutes when Xulu rose among a group of players to meet a corner and somehow managed to trickle the ball over the goal line off his shoulder and send the hosts into halftime leading 2-1.
Coming out for the second period, Chiefs made a valiant effort to gain parity by virtually ‘camping’ inside the Richards Bay half, although they did not have things all their own way as the hosts doggedly defended their lead in the difficult wet conditions.
Around the tree-quarter mark, coach Fernando Da Cruz sent on Faiz Abrahams for his debut and 10 minutes later introduced Asanele Velebayi, who had an immediate impact by setting up Ndlovu’s goal with his first involvement in the match within a minute of stepping into the fray, as he broke free down the left wing before intelligently cutting the ball back across the area for the arriving Ndlovu to steer home the well-earned leveller with a superbly placed first-time shot.
The result places Chiefs third on the log, with eight points from their four fixtures to date, two behind the leading pair.
Amakhosi are next in Betway Premiership action on Saturday, 5 September, when they host Siwelele at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace for a 20:00 kick off.
Line-ups
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen © (1), Miguel (84), Kwinika (4), Moloisane (42), Monyane (2) (Solomons (18) 51’), Maboe (6), Ndlovu (8), Shabalala (7) (Mmodi (13) (Velebayi (17) 76’), Vilakazi (28) (Abrahams (35) 67’), Baartman (11) (Duba (47 67’)
Subsnot used: Leaner (16); Frosler (39), Mthethwa (5), Mtasingwa (22)
Coach: Fernando Da Cruz
Richards Bay: Otieno (1); Mcineka © (25), M. Ndelu (15), Sikhakhane (5), Mabuya (22), Mntungwa (3), Nashixwa (45), Mthembu (20), Khumalo (77) Zikhali (8) 81’), Gumede (17) (Barns (30) 73’), Xulu (27) Mahala (14) 73’)
Subs not used: Mtshali (32), Simelane (53), Shezi (2), Mbambo (31), T. Ndelu (35), Nzama (19)
Coach: Ronnie Gabriel
