Durban City maintained their outstanding home form in 2026 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Richards Bay in a Betway Premiership KwaZulu-Natal derby at the Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday evening.
Despite the low scoreline, it was a thrilling end-to-end encounter in front of a sizeable home crowd; both teams showing their attacking intent and creating numerous moments of goalmouth action over the 90 minutes.
In the end, a solo effort from Samkelo Maseko 10 minutes from time proved the difference.
City started the game wel, but after Luphumlo Sifumba had a 17th minute free-kick saved, the visiting team went on to have a succession of chances on goal, bringing out the very best from City keeper Darren Keet.
Keet made two brilliant saves to tip a couple of powerful rising shots from Thulani Gumede over the bar, while there was also a header from Simphiwe Mcineka which grazed the crossbar as well as a goal-line clearance from Mfanafuthi Mkhize. Gumede was also to hit the woodwork with an ambitious long-range curler.
At the other end, a blistering run from Maseko ended with a dangerous square ball across the six-yard box, but Sifumba was unable to keep a sharp chance under the bar as his volley flew over. Keet then made another breathtaking save to deflect a thunderous drive from Sanele Barnes onto the post.
There were further openings for City, but the match remained deadlocked as Sasizo Magawana broke free down the left, but had his near-post effort blocked by Ian Otieno’s knee, the Richards Bay custodian also keeping out a first half added time header from Brooklyn Poggenpoel.
With the lively home crowd behind them, the Citizens began the second stanza brightly and were nearly ahead when Siphamandla Ncanana’s spectacular overhead kick flashed just wide of the target.
There was another good chance for City when Trevor Mokwena rose well at the back post around the hour mark, but steered his header just wide of goal.
Gumede was then at it again for Richards Bay as he drove a stinging low shot in towards the near post, but once again, Keet was up to the task with another superb save.
The breakthrough finally came for Durban City in the 80th minute as Maseko sprinted down the left wing, turned a defender inside out and fired into the back of the net, via a deflection off an opponent.
It could have been 2-0 for City five minutes later, but Jean Lwamba missed the goal after having done the hard work in going around the keeper.
It did not however affect the result as the home club controlled the closing minutes well to see out victory at the end of an entertaining evening.
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