South African top-flight football giants Kaizer Chiefs’ poor form continued on Sunday after they were dumped out of the NedBank Cup round of 32 by Richards Bay FC.
Goals from Dube Thabani and Vilane Siyabonga condemned the Amakhosi to an early exit, heaping more misery on the flattering giants who scored their lone goal courtesy of Leonardo Castro.
The shock loss to GladAfrica Championship side has extended Kaizer Chiefs’s recent slide of form, drawing two and losing one to Stellenbosch, Baroka and Orlando Pirates respectively.
Richards Bay gave the Dstv Premiership giants a big scare in the first ten minutes as Zulu Veluyeke narrowly flashed beyond the far corner from a cross-cum-shot on the left side.
Kaizer Chiefs soon sprung to life and provided a more potent threat of their own a little later when Ntshangase headed a cross from the right by Parker against the post.
Richards Bay eventually took advantage of the dominance, as centre-back Thabani Dube nodded home at the back post from a corner delivered by Khanyisa Mayo.
Chiefs, meanwhile, were restricted to long-range efforts after the half-hour mark and only tested Jacobs Malcolm once.
The Amakhosi should have restored parity in the 53rd minute, but Mashiane blasted over from close range, after some poor defending from Richards Bay.
Kaizer Chiefs eventually levelled matters in the 77th minute courtesy of a composed finish from second-half substitute Leonardo Castro, courtesy of an improvised half-volley lying from the floor to the near post.
Malcolm came to Richards Bay’s rescue in the 86th minute, as the Royal Zulus goalkeeper produced a stunning save to deny Nurcovic from 12-yards out.
Richards Bay restored their lead in the 90th minute through Siyabonga Vilane, who scored for the visitors off a deflection from the upright to send Kaizer Chiefs out of the competition.
How they lined-up
Chiefs: Akpeyi, Moleko, Cardoso, Akumu, Ntiya-Ntiya, Matsheke, Mashiane, Ngcobo, Ntshangase, Parker, Nurkovic.
Subs: Bvuma, Katsande, Castro, Manyama, Zuma, Frosler, Sasman, Blom, Radebe
Richards Bay: Jacobs, Maphathe, Mabua, Zulu, Dube, Mtolo, Mayo, Bakah, Ntsundwana, Mthembu, Ogbonna.
Subs: Mpakumpaku, Vilane, Goldstone, Mabuya, Zwane, Radebe, Mcineka, Ndlovu, Maphakisa.
