A Goalkeeping Error Gifts the Hosts an Early Lead
Wet, cold conditions at Princess Magogo Stadium, and Chiefs made the worst possible start to it. Just eight minutes in, keeper Brandon Petersen failed to deal with a back-pass from Thabo Moloisane, and Nqaba Xulu pounced on the mistake to give Richards Bay the lead. It was a goal that came almost entirely against the run of play — Chiefs had had the better of the early possession — and it set the tone for a first half where the KwaZulu-Natal side, still searching for their first win of the season, punished every Amakhosi mistake that came their way.
Xulu struck again before the break to double the hosts’ advantage, and although Lebohang Maboe pulled one back for Chiefs from the penalty spot, it wasn’t enough to prevent Richards Bay going in 2-1 up at halftime — a lead built almost entirely on defensive errors that coach Fernando da Cruz would have plenty to say about.
Ndlovu Completes the Comeback Late
Chiefs came out for the second half needing a response, and while Richards Bay continued to threaten on the counter, Amakhosi eventually found their equaliser in an entertaining, end-to-end finish. Siphesihle Ndlovu, teed up by fellow substitute Andile Velebayi, finished off a move to level things at 2-2 and snatch a point that had looked unlikely for long stretches of the match. Chiefs pushed for a winner in stoppage time — a heavily deflected effort went narrowly wide, sparing Richards Bay a cruel late concession — but the game finished level, four minutes of added time coming and going without further goals.
What It Means Next
Da Cruz didn’t hide his frustration afterward, visibly angry with a performance built on individual errors rather than a lack of quality. Kaizer Chiefs sit third on 8 points, while Richards Bay move up to 12th on 3, still searching for that elusive first win of the season despite matching a top-three side stride for stride for large parts of the night. In their last six meetings, the two sides have now split things almost evenly — three wins for Richards Bay, two for Chiefs, and this one ending level.
Match Summary
Richards Bay 2-2 Kaizer Chiefs Betway Premiership — Princess Magogo Stadium, Durban, South Africa Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Goals: 8′ Nqaba Xulu (Richards Bay) 1-0 Nqaba Xulu (Richards Bay) 2-0 Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs) 2-1 (penalty) Siphesihle Ndlovu (Kaizer Chiefs) 2-2 (assist: Andile Velebayi)
Result: Richards Bay and Kaizer Chiefs draw 2-2 after the visitors fought back from behind in a wet, entertaining clash.
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