Richards Bay and Polokwane City played out a goalless stalemate in their Betway Premiership clash at the Richards Bay Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The result extended the Natal Rich Boyz’s unbeaten run to five matches and left them in 11th place on the log – three points off the top eight. Rise and Shine, meanwhile, are now winless in three matches and placed sixth on the log.
Polokwane started brightly and had early chances for Manuel Kambala and Sibusiso Tshabalala – neither of which were on target – while the 12th minute saw Thabang Matuludi drive an effort on goal which forced a sharp save from Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
The home side’s first notable effort in attack arrived midway through the first half, as Moses Mthembu drove a shot on target from range and was denied by a diving save from goalkeeper Lindokuble Mathebula.
In the 36th minute an attempt from Bay’s Thulani Gumede drew another intervention from Mathebula, as the Natal Rich Boyz began to exert ever greater pressure. However, Rise and Shine held firm to see the game goalless at the interval.
And the visitors then made a triple change at the start of the second half, introducing Puleng Marema, Raymond Daniels and Sapholwethu Kelepu from the bench.
Yet it was Bay who had the next big scoring chance, with Sanele Barns whipping a shot on target in the 48th minute which drew another save from Mathebula to keep the score line blank.
Midway through the second half, Matuludi once again threatened to break the deadlock, but his shot flashed just wide, while Daniels brought a fine save out of Otieno in the 71st minute with a curler from just outside the box.
Bay’s Moses Mthembu drove an effort on target in the 78th minute, but Mathebula racked up another notable stop, summing up a match in which the defences and goalkeepers held sway.
The teams will return to Premiership action on Saturday, 9 May, with Bay away to Marumo Gallants and Polokwane visiting Golden Arrows.
Richards Bay 0
Polokwane City 0
Bay: Otieno, Mabuya, Mcineka, Zuke, Sikhakhane, Mthembu, Nashixwa, Gumede, Zikhali, Barns, Mahala (Bomelo 86’)
Polokwane: Mathebula, Matuludi, Ramaja, Nkaki, Nkwe, Kambala, Maphangule (Kelepu 46’), Dlamini, Mutudza (Daniels 46’), Tshabalala (Marema 46’), Ramabu (Sebone 74’)