Latest news with #SiyandaMthanti
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
KZN rivals clash at familiar turf as Arrows and Bay hunt first win
Siyanda Mthanti Mfundo Thikazi (left) of Richards Bay challenges Siyanda Mthanti of Golden Arrows as the KZN sides resume rivalry in the Betway Premeirship clash at King Zwelithini Stadium. | BackpagePix Golden Arrows and Richards Bay will be desperate to get their Betway Premiership campaigns on track when they collide in a KwaZulu-Natal derby at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday evening. Both sides lost their league openers, leaving them already under pressure to put early points on the board. Arrows were beaten by newly promoted Siwelele FC, while Richards Bay fell to Marumo Gallants. The urgency is shared — neither camp wants to risk an extended winless run this early in the season. For Arrows, the 2025/26 has begun as a season of transition. Head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has assembled a squad brimming with fresh-faced youngsters signed in the off-season. While the energy and enthusiasm are clear, the chemistry is still developing, particularly in attack where their youthful frontline has yet to click. Richards Bay's start has been more bruising. Co-coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane have overseen back-to-back league defeats, with the 4-0 loss to champions Mamelodi Sundowns two weeks ago leaving wounds that still need healing.
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Richards Bay safe from PSL relegation after Golden Arrows draw
Siyanda Mthanti Mfundo Thikazi (left) of Richards Bay challenges Siyanda Mthanti of Golden Arrows for the ball in their clash in Umlazi on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Richards Bay ensured another season in the top-flight with a goalless draw in the KwaZulu-Natal derby against Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday. The Natal Rich Boyz reached the 30-point mark and remained in 11th place on the Premiership standings, but saved their status with one more game of the season to go. Abafana Bes'thende, on the other hand, took a huge knock towards their bid to ensure safety, with results in other matches going against them. Cape Town City's 2-0 win over Polokwane City mean the Western Cape side moved to within a point of Arrows, who occupy 13th spot on the log. Richards Bay finally brought the curtain down on their home fixtures as they entertained the visit of fellow KZN outfit Arrows. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Coach Ronnie Gabriel's men required just a point to ensure their safety in the top-flight, and having had a good home record to protect, they were expected to put up a fight. The visitors were under pressure to break their winless record across all competitions, which had left them in the conversation for relegation. Desperate for goals, Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi threw on Blessing Mchunu upfront, and he was partnered by the lively Siyanda Mthanti and Nduduzo Sibiya. That combination almost reaped dividends as Arrows created the first chance of the game inside five minutes. The home side defence did well to reorganise themselves in time to block a Sibiya shot from outside the box following a good run and low cross from Mthanti on the right wing. The opening stanza did not produce much in goalmouth action, although both teams tried to keep the tempo of the match as high as they could. Manqoba Mngqithi had no business going from 10 seasons of dominance with Mamelodi Sundowns, back to Golden Arrows. I share the same sentiments about Gavin Hunt. They both should have moved out of the country. — Kubo Kubo (@Bantu_Kubo) May 14, 2025 Both teams were evenly matched, with every stride, run and tackle and desperately needing a moment of brilliance to spark the game into life. It was no surprise that both benches introduced a pair of substitutions at the break wanting to tilt the game into their favour. Richards Bay threw on usual starters Yanela Mbuthuma and Moses Mthembu in place of winger Mfundo Thikazi and Ntlonelo Bomelo. Manqoba Mngqithi, on the opposing bench, withdrew captain Sibiya, as well as Mchunu, with Sabelo Sithole and Thokozani Lukhele taking their spots. The more the game wore on, the more Arrows looked more desperate to claim all three points, with their top-flight status on the line.
