Richards Bay claimed a surprise 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening, with the result confirming Cape Town Spurs’ relegation from the DStv Premiership.
Sanele Barns struck the only goal of the game in the first half, as the Natal Rich Boyz claimed a fourth win from their last six league matches.
They remained in the relegation playoff berth, but have closed to within two points of third-from-bottom Royal AM (who have a game in hand).
In addition, Bay have opened an eight-point lead over Spurs, who are now mathematically certain to finish bottom of the log and will therefore play in the second-tier Motsepe Foundation Championship next season.
As for the Buccaneers, this result ended a run of seven successive wins across all competitions, and saw them miss out on the chance to leapfrog into second place and take advantage of Stellenbosch FC’s loss to Moroka Swallows earlier in the day.
Even a draw would have been enough for Pirates to take second spot on goal difference, but instead they remained in third place, one point adrift of the Winelands team.
The teams traded half-chances through the opening half hour, with neither Pirates nor Bay looking especially likely to find the back of the net, as respective goalkeepers Sipho Chaine and Salim Magoola were not called into significant action.
The visitors then shocked the home crowd by claiming the lead in the 36th minute: Pirates failed to clear their lines from a long throw-in and the ball fell kindly for Sanele Barns, who steered a side-foot finish beyond Chaine’s left hand for 1-0.
The Bucs have work to do
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