Arrows Extend Winless Run After Thrilling KZN Derby

Image via @RichardsBayFC_

Richards Bay FC and Golden Arrows played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Betway Premiership on Friday evening.

Betway Premiership

Result: Richards Bay 2-2 Golden Arrows

Date: 30 January 2026

Venue: Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium

Manqoba Mngqithi’s charges came into the clash on the back of a 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs last week, while Richards Bay shared the spoils with Siwelele FC in their first league encounter seven days ago.

The hosts got off to a lively start after being awarded a penalty in the eighth minute after Lundi Mahala was brought down in the box by Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso. Moses Mthembu stepped up and rifled the ball into the top corner to hand his side the lead.

The Natal Rich Boyz continued to enjoy a lot of the ball after taking the lead but they should have had a second goal after 17 minutes when Mahala did well to play in former Arrows striker Knox Mutizwa, who sent his effort over the crossbar from close-range.

It took a while for Arrows to get back on level terms but they got their reward on 27 minutes when Lungelo Nguse bagged his first goal of the season with a close-range finish after Richards Bay went to sleep at the back.

The hosts had the ball in the back of the net for a second time on the stroke of halftime when Mahala appeared to have bundled the ball home from close range, however the celebrations were cut short as the referee deemed that Mahala had fouled goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa before heading in.

Arrows, however, completed the turnaround five minutes into the second half as the lively Siyanda Ndlovu skipped past a couple challenges before rifling the ball beyond Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno..

Richards Bay responded by making their first change of the game as they welcomed back Sanele Barns following his move from Stellenbosch FC this week, with Mutizwa making way up front after a quiet cameo.

The change injected some much-needed energy into the home side, who restored parity in the 65th minute when Mahala bagged his second league goal by getting on the end of Mthembu’s cross and sending a towering into the far corner.

The derby showed no signs of slowing down in the closing stages but the Natal Rich Boyz should have sealed the win with nine minutes left after Lwandile Mabuya was left un-marked at the far post, however the winger blazed well over the target with only Mbanjwa to beat.

Here’s how they started:

Richards Bay: Otieno, Mabuya, Mntungwa, Zuke, Mthethwa, Ngema, Mthembu, Mahala, Zikhali, Mutizwa

Subs: Magoola, Mcineka, Sikhakhane, Khumalo, Ndelu, Barns, Gumede, Nzama, Bomelo

Golden Arrows: Mbanjwa, Komara, Cisse, Mabaso, Jiyane, Ndlovu, Dlamini, K.Shezi, Nguse, P.Khumalo, Maxwele

Subs: Maova, Mafuleka, Sibiya, B.Cele, Karelse, L.Dube, Van Rooi, Dion, Madonsela

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