Richard's Bay finally break Premiership duck with win over Chippa United

Richard's Bay 1 (1) Gabadinho Mhango 45+4 '

Chippa United 0

Richards Bay took home a desperately needed three points after beating Chippa United 1–0 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Tuesday night, securing their first win of the season.

Coming off three straight losses and a dreadful start to their PSL campaign, Richards Bay managed to turn things around with a second-half goal from Gabadinho Mhango.

They started brightly, launching an early attack in the opening minute, but Thabisa Ndelu’s shot was well off target. The early pressure earned them a corner, but Chippa quickly responded with some promising attacks of their own.

Bandile Dlamini came close with a header on goal, but Salim Magoola made a solid save. Dlamini remained lively throughout the first half, posing problems for the KZN side in their own half.

Richards Bay’s Tlakusani Mthethwa was shown a yellow card at the half-hour mark for a foul on Khaya Mfecane. Around the same time, Chippa made an early substitution, replacing Stanley Nwabali with Elson Sitthole.

Mhango looked lively in attack for Richards Bay and won a free kick inside the Chippa half shortly after the change. Then, in first-half stoppage time, Mhango struck from outside the box, finding the back of the net and silencing the home crowd just before the break.

In the second half, Tshepo Mabua and Lundi Mahala picked up yellow cards, taking the team's tally to three. In the 74th minute, Mhango was booked as well, after being fouled and then cautioned for dissent — taking the total to four yellow cards for Richards Bay.

Despite the cards, the KZN side looked far more attacking in the second half, controlling possession and keeping the game largely inside Chippa’s half. Though the Chippa defence didn’t completely collapse, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

Richards Bay ended the night with five yellow cards, but more importantly, with three vital points to get their season up and running.