Richards Bay took control of top spot after their narrow 1-0 win over University of Pretoria in the PSL Promotion/Playoff tie played at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Tuks were looking to make it two wins out of two after overcoming Baroka FC 1-0 in their Promotion/Playoff opener at Tuks Stadium this past weekend.
As early as the seventh minute, Tuks threw all the tools at Bay and forced Salim Magoola into an early clearance.
Bay almost grabbed the lead two minutes later but Tuks goalkeeper Edward Maova rushed off his line to intercept Yanela Bhuthuma’s effort and make a clearance.
Thabang Sibanyoni failed to capitalize on a loose ball inside the Bay box when the ball fell kindly to his feet, as his delayed shot was kicked out of touch by the Bay defence in the 16th minute.
In the 22nd minute, the home fans were sent into wild cheers when bulky marksman Somila Nsundwana curled an effort from just inside the box and into the top corner to give his side the crucial 1-0 lead.
The visitors thought they had leveled matters in the 31st minute when Sibanyoni drove a low shot past Magoola, but the Tuks marksman was rightfully flagged offside.
It could’ve been 2-0 in the 36th minute but Bhuthuma fluffed his shot from the right which was cleared from danger by the Tuks defence.
Four minutes before the half-time whistle went, the Natal Rich Boyz came agonizingly close once again when Nsundwana found Bhuthuma on the edge of the box. His shot however sailed just over the Tuks crossbar.
The second-half was relatively quiet, and it was only until the 62nd minute when there was a goalmouth scramble in the Bay 18-yard box. The hosts equally dealt well with the ball to clear it from danger.
A beautiful cross in the box in the 70th minute from Sanele Barns unfortunately saw his ball blocked for a corner kick.
Former Orlando Pirates defender Tercious Malepe had a chance to nail the coffin into Tuks when the home side were given a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 92nd minute. His resulting effort though was comfortably saved by Maova.
In the end, Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s troops held on to claim the maximum points ahead of their clash against Baroka on Saturday, June 8, at Global Stadium.
