RICHARDS Bay FC were knocked out of the Carling Cup on Sunday after barely having a sip of the sponsor’s offering.

The failings that have been evident all season were there once more for all to see as they again found the net but remained leaky at the other end of the field, going down 3-1 to Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Forced to field a number of youngsters in key positions with skipper Simphiwe Mcineka not in the line-up along with the likes of Tuli Nashixwa and Thulani Gumede, coach Dimitar Pantev – who was at least in the dugout this time after his permit papers were sorted – will not feel like this was the end of the world.

The Rich Boyz did not play terribly; in fact, at times they looked extremely confident and capable, and did get back into contention when striker Nqaba Xulu brought the score to 2-1 late in the game, only for NRB to concede again at the end.

There was no score at the break and all was going well until a speculative long ball beat the entire Richards Bay defensive line for Chibuike Ohizo to stroll past Ian Otieno to open the scoring (1-0).

Xulu put one over the bar before Thabang Makubo doubled the home side’s tally with a breakaway goal (2-0).

NRB were back in the game when Xulu halved the deficit after some sweet inter-passing (2-1) but with time running out Bethuel Muzea was left unmarked from a cross and the deal was done at 3-1.

In the post-match interview, Pantev said he had seen improvement from his side and expressed confidence that things would turn around for the luckless Rich Boyz, who have scored in every match this season (11) but have conceded more than twice as many (23).

The next test comes on Saturday, away to Betway Premiership newcomers Kruger United.

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