Durban City emerged victorious in the latest instalment of the KwaZulu-Natal derby in the Betway Premiership this weekend, as Samkelo Maseko found the back of the net in a 1-0 win over Richards Bay at the Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday night.
City commenced the game on the front foot and created a couple of scoring chances during the first quarter. Terrence Mashego carved out the first shot on target, after Ian Otieno saved his right-footed effort in the 10th minute.
The Natal Rich Boyz did not hold back in their attacking attempts and looked dangerous during set-piece situations.
Simphiwe Mcineka came close to giving his side the lead in the 26th minute, after he saw a headed effort go wide of the mark following a corner.
Then, in what was one of Richards Bay’s best opportunities of the first half, Sanele Barns let off a powerful 35-yard shot that was saved by Darren Keet in goal shortly before the break.
At the other end of the pitch, Brooklyn Poggenpoel made his presence known in Richards Bay’s box with a headed attempt that was saved by Otieno, following an accurate cross by Luphumlo Sifumba.
Where there was little to separate the two sides during the first half, it was Durban City who actively searched for an opener after the restart.
With Richards Bay struggling in the air, both Bokang Mokwena and Siphamandla Ncanana made their presence known with headed efforts that were tamed shortly before the hour-mark.
Durban City managed to break the deadlock with around 10 minutes left on the clock as Maseko scored.
Following a swift passing move en-route to goal, Saziso Magawana picked out Maseko inside the area, who subsequently rifled the ball home with a right-footed beyond Otieno.
Richards Bay saw much of the ball during the closing stages of the match as they searched for an equalising goal late on.
However, fifth-placed Durban City did well to see out the game unscathed as they bounced back from their 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs last time out.
The Natal Rich Boyz have now slumped to their third consecutive loss in the league, with 23 points to their name in 12th position, while they sit five points above the relegation zone.
Durban City: (0) 1 (Maseko 79’)
Richards Bay: 0
Durban City: Keet, Mashego, Mkhize, Ncanana, Gcaba (Jalai 71’), Magawana, Jurgens, Poggenpoel, Sifumba (Nodada 61’), Mokwena (Lwamba 71’), Maseko (Mthembu 91’)
Richards Bay: Otieno, Khumalo, Zulu, Mcineka, Sikhakhane (Mabuya 85’), Mthethwa (Khumalo 85’), Barns (Ngema 75’), Mthembu, Nzama (Zikhali 65’), Gumede, Mahala (Ndlangamandla 75’)