Taariq Fielies hands AmaZulu KZN Derby bragging rights over Richards Bay

A solitary second half strike by Taariq Fielies saw AmaZulu FC beat Richards Bay 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday.

Usuthu consolidated their seventh place on the Betway Premiership standings by breaking a four-game winless run and secured a rare win over the Natal Rich Boys in the top flight.

For Richards Bay, back-to-back defeats see their survival hopes take a damaging blow as they linger in 13th spot, just two points above the relegation zone. 

Just as the game seemed to be heading for a dull draw in Umlazi, defender Fielies pooped up with his first goal of the season and gave the hosts the lead.

The towering defender came out with an unfamiliar goal to all but decided what was tight and highly competitive match.

Looking to arrest their defensive frailties AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane handed the experienced Thembela Sikhakhane his first start since October in the back three. 

Despite their positions on the log standings, there wasn’t much to separate the two teams in the opening half with the rain failing to aid a fast-paced game. 

Zwane would’ve been frustrated at his side’s failure to use their 63% ball possession as both teams had one shot at goal each after 45 minutes. 

January signing Nkosikhona Radebe, who has two goals to his name in the green of Usuthu, came closest to breaking the deadlock as he twisted inside the box before his low drive was gathered by Ian Otieno in the visiting goal.

The rest of the game lingered on a tight edge but was eventually won by Usuthu. 

AmaZulu will travel to Stellenbosch in their next game on the 19th while Richards Bay host Cape Town City the day before.