Durban City had to work hard for a Betway Premiership point in a 1-1 draw with KwaZulu-Natal rivals Richards Bay at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday evening.
It was a game of two contrasting halves as Richards Bay enjoyed the better of the first half exchanges, with the Citizens on top in the second stanza.
City were to enjoy the first clearcut chance of the evening when Gaston Sirino stole the ball in the opposition box and fired in an angled shot from the right – which was parried by goalkeeper Ian Otieno into the path of Jean Lwamba, who was unable to finish from a tight angle in the eighth minute.
Moments later and the hosts suffered a sucker punch as Nqaba Xulu cut through the Durban City defence and curled a pin-point shot into the right-hand corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Looking to restore parity, City created a good opportunity in the 16th minute when Thabo Nodada threaded Lwamba into the box, but although the striker connected well from a tight angle on the left, Otieno was on hand to made a smart save at his near post.
At the other end, Xulu continued to create problems and called Frederick Asare into making what was ultimately a routine save, following his near-post flicked attempt.
Durban City had the next opportunity, in the 32nd minute, as Tashreeq Morris expertly controlled Gaston Sirino’s cross before firing a half-volley marginally over the bar from 20-yards out.
City came out with purpose after the restart, the next opening falling their way when Tylo Sanger made space for himself outside of the box before smashing in a left-footed drive which was parried by Otieno.
Richards Bay then had two chances in quick succession which were both brilliantly tipped over the bar by Asare – the first a long range curling effort from Thulani Gumede, the second a volley from the edge of the area by Sanele Barnes.
The play was now end-to-end, with Durban City’s endeavour rewarded when they equalised in the 70th minute after Richards Bay defender Thembela Sikhakhane turned Luphumlo Sifumba’s dangerous cross into his own net.
A couple more attacks followed shortly afterwards as the home side sniffed blood, but the visitors were able to scramble the ball to safety.Lwamba then had a chance to seal it for City with about 10 minutes to play, but sent his header from a cross the wrong side the target.
The last opportunity of the game came in the second minute of added time when Haashim Domingo lined up a free kick from 25-yards out from a central position, but there were to be no late celebrations as he lifted the ball over the bar.
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