Richards Bay and Kaizer Chiefs share points after rain-soaked thriller

Kaizer Chiefs came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Richards Bay in a rain-soaked contest in which both sides had chances to claim all three points.

Richards Bay made the stronger start and went ahead in the eighth minute after Nqaba Xulu punished an error from Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen. The lively forward charged down a hesitant clearance and deflected the ball into the net for his second goal of the season.

Chiefs responded with sustained pressure and were level 11 minutes later. Richards Bay defender Thembela Sikhakhane was penalised for handball inside the area, giving the referee no option but to award a penalty.

Lebohang Maboe took responsibility and sent his spot-kick firmly past the goalkeeper to restore parity.

The equaliser did little to reduce the intensity of the visitors’ attack, but Chiefs remained vulnerable at the other end. Richards Bay exposed that weakness shortly before half-time when a well-delivered corner picked out Xulu.

The forward rose above the defence and headed the ball beyond Petersen, directing it towards the far post to put the Natal Rich Boys back in front.

Richards Bay began the second half with renewed attacking intent and came close to extending their advantage. Thulani Gumede curled an effort towards the near corner, but Petersen reacted well to parry the shot away.

Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz then turned to his substitutes in an attempt to change the course of the match. He sent on new signing Faiz Abrahams, along with Wandile Duba and Asanele Velebayi.

The changes quickly appeared to pay off. Velebayi escaped down the left before cutting the ball back into the area, where Siphesihle Ndlovu finished from close range to bring Chiefs level again in the 77th minute.

Both teams continued searching for a decisive third goal, with a number of efforts attempted from distance. However, neither side was able to find the target before the final whistle.

The result means Chiefs had to recover from a deficit on two separate occasions, while Richards Bay were left to reflect on missed opportunities after twice holding the lead.

The manner of the goals ensured that both teams could feel disappointed not to have taken maximum points. Richards Bay had Xulu’s early opportunism and second-half header to thank for their advantage, but Chiefs’ pressure and substitutions ultimately produced the response needed to avoid defeat.

Elsewhere, in the Betway Premiership, Arrows claimed their first win while Milford and Polokwane shared the points.