Two goals in extra time from Richards Bay FC saw Durban City’s run in the 2025 Carling Knockout coming to an end at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The match, played on a blazing hot afternoon, ended 3-1 in favour of the hosts after Trevor Mokwena had initially put Durban City ahead when he opened the scoring shortly after the half-time break.
Following kick-off in the KwaZulu-Natal derby, there had been an early chance for City as Mokwena arrived at the near post to get his head to a cross, but the fourth minute effort was miss-timed.
Six minutes later and the home side had a great opportunity to go ahead when following a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell for Simphiwe Mcineka just 12-yards out from goal, but his shot kept on rising over the bar.
Moments later and Durban City were on the attack; the ball worked to Katleho Maphathe on the right wing, from where he sent in a pin-point back-post cross for Letsie Koapeng. Koapeng’s volley was sweetly struck, but home keeper Ian Otieno reacted very sharply to keep out the ball at his near post with his foot.
The game remained tightly contested, Richards Bay though starting to build pressure as the end of the first half neared. Former Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango in particular was a threat, drawing a sharp save from Darren Keet after spinning in the box and firing in a volley, while soon after, it took a last-gasp tackle from Mfanafuthi Mkhize to stop the same player.
There was further defending needed as Richards Bay sent a succession of balls into the box, the Durban club doing very well to remain focussed, disciplined and resolute.
Having survived the onslaught to make it to half time, Gavin Hunt’s men came out revived for the second stanza.
And six minutes later they were in front, thanks to a stunning goal from Mokwena – who received a short pass from Maphathe – before hitting a scorching grass-cutter of a shot from all of 30-yards out into the back of the net, via the inside of the left-hand upright.
The hosts came out fighting for an equaliser after that, City increasingly on the back foot. There weren’t too many clearcut chances for Richards Bay as the Citizens defended stoutly, though there was an escape when Knox Mutizwa headed wide from close range in the 76th minute.
Mutizwa was however to pop up in the box with deadly effect in the 84th minute to stab in a close-range equaliser following a deflected cross from the left.
The game was now there for the taking as the clock ticked down to the end of regulation time, and extra time followed.
Heartbreakingly for the Citizens supporters, it was the hometown club who next found the net, Mbulelo Nombengula smashing a powerful shot into the back of the net from 15-metres out after Lundi Mahala’s pass had deflected into his path in the 10th minute of extra time.
The Citizens kept working hard to get back into the game, but instead suffered a sucker-punch in the 120th minute when the hosts counter-attacked swiftly and scored through Mahala.
