No cup of joy for NRB

Brilliant Rich Boyz deserved better

RICHARDS Bay FC got the accolades but SuperSport United got the win after a pulsating Nedbank Cup Last 16 game played at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The final 3-1 score line does not do justice to the Rich Boyz’s tremendous effort, particularly in the second half when they had more than 70 per cent of the possession.

But, ultimately, a missed penalty by Justice Figuareido and a header from skipper Simphiwe Mcineka that bounced off the inside of the post were the deciding factors.

Playing with a strong wind behind their backs, SuperSport went ahead as early as the sixth minute when a long range free kick by Shandre Campbell slid under the body of a diving Salim Magoola in the NRB goals – one that on reflection should have been prevented (0-1).

Both defences were in control in the first half, with a 12th minute shot by Somila Ntsundwana, saved by Ricardo Goss, the closest the Bay side came to scoring.

That was until the 40th minute, when Ntsundwana was bundled over in the box and Figuareido was handed the responsibility of taking the spot kick.

He hit it well enough but at a comfortable height for Goss, who guessed right and pulled off the save.

That miss proved fatal as soon after, chaotic defending and questionable positioning saw the ball land at Campbell’s feet and his scuffed shot trickled in at the unguarded far post (0-2).

Coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi made no fewer than four changes at the break, setting up a half of energetic dominance for Richards Bay, who exerted all the pressure in midfield but battled to convert it into goals.

However, in the 85th minute a brilliant dead ball cross from Sanele Barns was eventually struck into the back of the net by Sibusiso Mthethwa after the ball rebounded off the post (1-2).

Then in the dying embers of extra time and needing an equalising goal, NRB threw every man – including keeper Magoola - into the box for a corner kick but a clearance and a SuperSport breakaway led to a third goal, this time for Gamphani Lungu.

So it was a 3-1 loss but once again plenty of talent, creativity and effort on show to suggest that Richards Bay have every chance of picking up vital league points when the DStv Premiership resumes with a game against

Golden Arrows on 31 March.

Richards Bay skipper Simphiwe Mcineka, who had bad luck when his header struck the inside of the post, put in plenty of solid challenges* Tshepo Mabua had a strong game for the Rich Boyz, especially in the second half

SuperSport United’s Onismor Bhasera challenges NRB striker Justice Figuareido, who had the misfortune of seeing his well-taken penalty saved