Rich Boyz and Chilli Boys share six goals
RICHARDS Bay FC go into the world cup break reflecting on how they twice let a twogoal lead slip in their 3-3 draw against Chippa United at the Wits Stadium on Sunday.
They will be especially disappointed at their muchvaunted defence giving away three goals - as many as they conceded in their 12 previous fixtures.
And while they did score two and benefit from an own goal, the number of chances that went a-begging was scary. It is no exaggeration to say a goal count in double figures would have reflected NRB’s total dominance.
Admittedly, the solid defensive wall has been impacted by injuries: first it was skipper Siphamandla Mtolo, then Simphiwe Mcineka, with the latest casualty being stand-in captain Katleho Maphathe, who was absent for this outing.
On the positive side, we have a two-month break until the season resumes on 31 December, by which time there would have been considerable improvement in terms of physical rehab.
Back to the Chilli Boys'
fixture, where from the outset NRB applied the pressure but failed to find the net until Somila Ntsundwana worked some magic shortly before the break.
Constant attack led to an own goal by Zuko Mdunyelwa as Chippa panicked, to make it 2-0 at the interval.
Chippa bounced back at the restart, getting one back from what looked clearly like bulk off-side in the build-up, with the live-wire Ronaldo Maarman netting (2-1).
It remained like that for some time as Richards Bay squandered chance after chance with overor under-hit crosses and shots that went wide of the mark. However, the cushion was restored when Ntsundwana nailed his brace, tucking away a fine cross from
Memela (3-1).
Two goals in two minutes by Chippa, courtesy of Ronald Pfumbidzai and Etiosa Ighodaro, undid the good work and gave a skewed view of the balance of power that was clearly in NRB’s favour.
This was clearly evidenced by the unbridled joy of the Chippa bench when the final whistle blew, and the dejection in the Rich Boyz’s camp.
Still, it is a point away from home, an eight-game unbeaten streak, and NRB remain second on the DStv log, so it’s not total doom and gloom; pride and confidence remain high in the club.