Polokwane City vs Richards Bay Match Recap - Nov 1, 2025

In a match that encapsulated the highs and lows of South African football, Polokwane City and Richards Bay battled to a 1-1 draw at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on November 1, 2025. Both teams entered the game in desperate need of points, but as the final whistle blew, neither could claim victory.

The action got underway quickly, with both sides eager to assert their dominance. It was Mokibelo Simon Ramabu who struck first for Polokwane City in the 31st minute, finding the net after a well-worked move that caught Richards Bay off guard. Ramabu's goal brought relief to Polokwane, a team struggling with inconsistency; they had managed only one win in their last five matches leading into this contest. The celebration felt even sweeter given that he had also scored in his last game against Sekhukhune United, showcasing his importance to the squad.

However, Richards Bay did not wilt under pressure. In the second half, they began to find their rhythm and put increasing pressure on Polokwane's defense. Their persistence paid off in the dying moments of regular time when Gabadinho Mhango was awarded a penalty kick after being fouled inside the area. Calm under pressure, Mhango slotted home the equalizer in the 86th minute-a crucial moment that drew wild cheers from the visiting supporters and added fresh life to Richards Bay's campaign as they continue their struggle against relegation.

As if scripted by fate, just as momentum shifted towards Richards Bay, disaster struck for Polokwane City when an unnamed player received a red card in injury time. This left Polokwane hanging on until the final whistle amid an onslaught of attacks from their opponents. With only ten men defending their lead late in the game, it was a tense finish for Polokwane fans who witnessed yet another twist in what has been a season of mixed fortunes.

This result leaves Polokwane City sitting sixth in the Premier Soccer League standings with 15 points from ten matches (4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses), while Richards Bay, currently occupying twelfth place with just 11 points (3 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses), will likely view this draw as two points dropped rather than one gained due to their resurgence in form.

Reflecting on my own pre-match predictions-where I suggested that both teams needed significant performances-it's hard not to chuckle at how wrong or right you can be based on a single moment or decision in football. While I anticipated key contributions from Knox Mutizwa and Lebohang Nkaki would define this match's outcome, it turned out it was Ramabu's strike early on and Mhango's cool composure under pressure that played pivotal roles instead.

As both teams look ahead to their next fixtures-Polokwane traveling to Amazulu and Richards Bay facing Sekhukhune United-it is clear that each side has much at stake moving forward. For Polokwane City, maintaining position within the mid-table is crucial if they hope for league stability and potential continental competition. Meanwhile, Richards Bay must now build on this draw and harness any momentum gained to climb out of danger before it's too late.

With November set up for more thrilling encounters across the league, fans will be eagerly waiting to see which team can turn today's results into future success stories-because if there's anything we learned today, it's that every point counts in this unpredictable journey called football.