Smiso Msomi
Richards Bay (0) 1
Allen 22’
TS Galaxy (0) 0
A solitary Keagan Allen header was enough to see Richards Bay edge TS Galaxy 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium yesterday.
The Natal Rich Boyz survived a resurgent Rockets display in the second stanza to ensure they opened their 2024/2025 season with a victory. For the third season in a row, Richards Bay kicked off their season in uMlazi with their usual travelling group adding to the ambience.
Smiso Msomi Richards Bay (0) Allen 22’ TS Galaxy (0) For the third season in a row, Richards Bay kicked off their season at Umlazi with their usual travelling group providing in the way of ambience. With new money, new players and a new coach, the Natal Rich Boyz placed all their toys on display as Brandon Truter fielded four of the club’s new signings. On-loan Mamelodi Sundowns forward Thabang Sibanyoni led the line supported by winger Siboniso Conco while Siyethemba Sighe held down midfield. However, It was through the most unexpected debutant that the hosts found their breakthrough as centre-back Keagan Allen scored the opener in the 22nd minute. The towering defender showed great footwork to dodge his marker in the box during a free-kick and got on the end of a Lwandile Mabuya delivery and put his team ahead. Although still with some of their stars around, Galaxy certainly resembled a team that lost six of its key players last season as they lacked creativity in the opponents half. It was always going to be a cagey encounter between the two teams for various reasons and the first half was no surprise as just the one goal separated the two teams at the break. Truter on the home bench has been known to be somewhat of a preservative coach that relies heavily on a defensively resolute team. It came as no surprise that Richards Bay made three substitutes in the 60th minute, looking to freshen their team whilst also adding surety in defence. Yanela Mbuthuma, Thulani Gumede and Tlakusani Mthethwa made their way into the field for Conco, Sibanyoni and the young Thabisa Ndelu. Galaxy, as expected, were always going to attempt to throw everything at the home side as the game went on and they almost reaped those rewards in the 63rd minute. Allen did fantastic work in his box this time as he blocked two shots at close range to ensure his team kept the lead.
With new money, new players and a new coach, the Natal Rich Boyz placed all their toys on display as Brandon Truter fielded four of the club’s new signings.
On-loan Mamelodi Sundowns forward Thabang Sibanyoni led the line supported by winger Siboniso Conco, while Siyethemba Sighe held down midfield. However, It was through the most unexpected debutant that the hosts found their breakthrough as centre-back Allen scored the winner in the 22nd minute.
The towering defender showed great footwork to dodge his marker in the box during a free kick and got on the end of a Lwandile Mabuya delivery to put his team ahead. Although some of their stars are still around, Galaxy certainly resembled a team that lost six of their key players last season as they lacked creativity in the opponents’ half.
It was always going to be a cagey encounter between the two teams for various reasons and the first half was no surprise.
Truter has been known to be somewhat of a conservative coach who relies heavily on a defensively resolute team. It came as no surprise that Richards Bay made three substitutes in the 60th minute, looking to freshen their team whilst also adding surety in defence.
Yanela Mbuthuma, Thulani Gumede and Tlakusani Mthethwa made their way onto the field for Conco, Sibanyoni and the young Thabisa Ndelu.
Galaxy, as expected, were always going to attempt to throw everything at the home side as the game went on and they almost reaped rewards in the 63rd minute. Allen did fantastic work in his box this time as he blocked two shots at close range to ensure his team kept the lead.