Top award for Rich Boyz
HIGH-flying Richards Bay FC scooped the team of the year award at a glitzy and glamorous KZN Sports Awards in Durban on Saturday night.
The award was based on their performance in the 2021/22 GladAfrica Championship, which saw them crowned champions, giving them automatic promotion to the DStv Premiership league this season.
This performance last season also increased the number of KZN soccer teams playing in the DStv Premiership, from four to five.
Since joining the top-flight league, NRB has played 10 matches, of which they have won five, drawn three and lost only two.
They are presently in second spot on the DStv log with 18 points, below reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The DStv newcomers have shown they are not pushovers, as they played to a goalless draw with Orlando Pirates on Saturday, despite being one man down.
NRB chairperson Jomo Biyela said they are extremely proud of their achievement.
“Our main recipe for success is the co-operation among everyone in the team. The chairman and technical team (coaches) have a good working relationship, including our old players and newly-recruited players.
"Even though our mission was not about winning any silverware this season, when a chance presents itself, we will grab it,” he said.
Their secret for this season now that they are playing in the elite league?
"We kept our old, experienced players to maintain stability, rhythm, and continuity, and recruited new players to strengthen certain positions and bring stability to those positions," said Biyela.
"Our recruitment was not focused on famous players; our focus was based on quality players for those particular positions."