Richards Bay call time on Sikhakhane position

Sibongiseni Gumbi

Just a few months after guiding Thanda Royal Zulu to promotion to the Absa Premiership, experienced coach Roger Sikhakhane has been axed by new team Richards Bay FC.

Sikhakhane was the talk of the town in June this year after his achievement, which was a second take as he had previously done it with Chippa United.

His day in the sun was, however, cut short when Thanda sold their Premiership status to AmaZulu and folded to form Richards Bay FC who would take over Usuthu’s National First Division (NFD) status.

When the new team was formed, there was so much hope that Sikhakhane would wave his magic wand and get them challenging for promotion again. But things have not worked out as hoped with the Rich Boys second from bottom with five points after six matches.

Rich Boys chairman Jomo Biyela confirmed yesterday that Sikhakhane has been relieved of his duties and that his assistant Jomo Ntuli would be in charge in the interim.

Richards Bay’s next match is a really difficult assignment against in-form NFD leaders and early promotion candidates Stellenbosch FC.

Sikhakhane, meanwhile, became the second coach to be fired in the NFD following former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns defender David Kannemeyer who was axed at Cape Town All Stars last weekend.