Richards Bay held their nerve from the penalty spot to edge Durban City 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout after the sides played to a 1-1 draw, booking their place in the next round of the 2026 KZN Premier’s Cup.
The KZN clash had all the intensity expected of two local rivals, with neither side willing to give an inch despite the intensity. But Richards Bay looked more attacking and opened up the scoring with a goal by Moses Mthembu just before the end of the first half.
Richards Bay looked on course for victory before Durban City found a fortunate route back into the contest. The Citizens were handed a lifeline when an own goal levelled the scores, forcing the match into a penalty shootout after neither team could find a winner in regulation time.
With the pressure mounting from 12 yards, Richards Bay kept their composure. Natal Rich Boys converted five of their spot kicks to seal a 5,4 shootout victory, knocking out last season’s Nedbank Cup winners and keeping alive their hopes of lifting the provincial crown.
While the KZN Premier’s Cup is a preseason competition, it carries far more significance than fitness and experimentation.
The tournament offers local rivals the opportunity to lay down an early marker before the league campaign begins, with every victory providing a psychological edge in the battle for provincial supremacy.
Richards Bay’s win over Durban will offer the northern KZN an edge going into the league, next time these two teams meet in a derby.
Earlier in the day, newly promoted Milford FC enjoyed a dream start to their first taste of top flight opposition, defeating Golden Arrows 1,0 to secure their place in the next round of the competition.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch
