First true test looms for Richards Bay FC

AHEAD of their season opener against Pretoria University on Sunday, Richards Bay FC publicly introduced the club’s 10 new players last Friday.

It’s an impressive line-up of exciting young talent and experienced professionals which, when added to the existing strong nucleus, augers well for the 2020/2021 GladAfrica National First Division Championship.

While it might take a few games to integrate the new talent, there is no doubt that the NRB boys are a well-drilled outfit ready to hit the ground running.

There’s not much more that head coach Simo Dladla and his technical team can now do in terms of preparation, apart from planning the strategy they will use to undo the formidable Tuks crew.

Based on the past season’s results, Richards Bay hold a slight upper hand, having won 2-1 at home and drawing 1-1 in the resumption bubble; but that’s history and counts for little now.

Of course, one result in a season of 30 fixtures doesn’t mean much, but it will give a relative indication of where the team is.

There were terrific signs at Monday’s high-paced practice session and I was particularly impressed with former Real Kings star Tsepo Mabua.

Strong on the ball and with excellent control, he may just be the goal poacher Richards Bay has missed for the past while.

Dladla is not one to make predictions, especially since Covid testing lies ahead 24 hours before the game and only then will he finally be able to settle on his run-on side.

However, he does reckon on putting at least two past the Tuks keeper.

Added to the list of new signings are four exciting young prospects, all hailing from the King Cetshwayo District: Nzuzo Mkhize (Ngwelezana), Moses Mthembu (Nseleni), Ashay Sewlall (Richards Bay) and Sibonginhlanhla Mthethwa (Makhwezini).

Local fans will get their first chance to see their heroes in action when Richards Bay hosts Cape Town All Stars at the uMhlathuze on Wednesday, 2 December.