Richards Bay’s struggle to win games continued as they played to a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.
Relegation-threatened Bay have won only once from eight league games this season.
Having never played any official game since May 2022, Samir Nurković made his Galaxy debut after signing as a free agent early in September.
He played a pivotal role in Galaxy breaking the deadlock as early as the sixth minute when he cleverly set up Higor Vidal to rack up a nice assist for Sphiwe Mahlangu.
Bay’s defence was caught napping when Vidal’s cross fell on the path of Mahlangu, whose half-volley beat goalkeeper Salim Magoola at his near post.
The Rockets were better on the ball as they strung together more passes and made more box entries than Bay in the first half.
However, a moment of carelessness proved their undoing.
Skipper Mlungisi Mbunjana gave away possession cheaply when they were trying to build from the back to Langelihle Mhlongo, who made no mistake and put the ball in the back of the net three minutes before the half-hour mark.
Justice Figuareido was Bay’s livewire, using his pace and skill to unsettle the hosts’ rearguard.
At times, the Swazi international was let down by selfishness as he, on many occasions, opted to unleash shots from unrealistic areas instead of laying it off for his teammates.
The second half was more like watching paint dry as the tempo of the game dropped.
Even so, Galaxy managed to create several half chances but decision-making proved their achilles heel.
Nurković understandably looked rather rusty towards the later stages of the game and being kept at bay by Thabani Dube also made things difficult for the big Serb.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action on Wednesday, with Galaxy away to Stellenbosch FC and Bay at home to Polokwane City.
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Struggle continues, but Richards Bay get a point at Galaxy
Journalist
Image: DIRK KOTZE/ GALLO IMAGES
Richards Bay’s struggle to win games continued as they played to a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.
Relegation-threatened Bay have won only once from eight league games this season.
Having never played any official game since May 2022, Samir Nurković made his Galaxy debut after signing as a free agent early in September.
He played a pivotal role in Galaxy breaking the deadlock as early as the sixth minute when he cleverly set up Higor Vidal to rack up a nice assist for Sphiwe Mahlangu.
Bay’s defence was caught napping when Vidal’s cross fell on the path of Mahlangu, whose half-volley beat goalkeeper Salim Magoola at his near post.
The Rockets were better on the ball as they strung together more passes and made more box entries than Bay in the first half.
However, a moment of carelessness proved their undoing.
Skipper Mlungisi Mbunjana gave away possession cheaply when they were trying to build from the back to Langelihle Mhlongo, who made no mistake and put the ball in the back of the net three minutes before the half-hour mark.
Justice Figuareido was Bay’s livewire, using his pace and skill to unsettle the hosts’ rearguard.
At times, the Swazi international was let down by selfishness as he, on many occasions, opted to unleash shots from unrealistic areas instead of laying it off for his teammates.
The second half was more like watching paint dry as the tempo of the game dropped.
Even so, Galaxy managed to create several half chances but decision-making proved their achilles heel.
Nurković understandably looked rather rusty towards the later stages of the game and being kept at bay by Thabani Dube also made things difficult for the big Serb.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action on Wednesday, with Galaxy away to Stellenbosch FC and Bay at home to Polokwane City.
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