Ntuli assumes the role of father figure

Richards Bay coach Sello Ntuli (right) said the biggest job for him after their GladAfrica Championship defeat to Swallows FC was to ensure it didn’t affect his players’ morale.

It was the first time the Rich Boys had come up against their former coach Brandon Truter, who is now with the Dube Birds.

Truter left Richards Bay under a cloud after a spat with the club’s management and that might have affected the players. This is why Ntuli said Sunday’s game at Dobsonville was a mental struggle more than anything.

“It was not an easy game. We knew it would be a difficult game especially because they have our former coach. It was more of a mental game. We will play another game which will help us to get over this one. It was tough for the players coming up against a coach they know,” Ntuli said.

The Rich Boys are still near the top but they have been on a bit of a slump of late.

Ntuli believes they can still fight for promotion.

“If we want to be champions, we have to take the results on the chin and not let them affect us mentally. We just have to go and work on a few things we picked up today, but with a positive attitude.

“We need to get into the box quicker and also improve our finishing. At the back we are not doing badly because we don’t often concede more than one,” he said. The Rich Boys are now eighth in the standings and trail leaders Uthongathi by nine points.

Truter said the win was sweeter for him as it came against his former employers.

“I don’t want to talk about my personal goals for this match, but for the team it was always about the three points. For me it is just the cherry on top,” he added.

Itumeleng Shopane scored in the 17th minute to help Swallows to their third win in 10 games.