High-flying Bay exceed Biyela’s expectations
● Whether they will be able to sustain their impressive start to the season is a discussion for another day — what is important for now is that rookies Richards Bay are riding the crest of the wave as one of the pacesetters in the DStv Premiership.
The Natal Rich Boyz reached the 2022 Fifa World Cup break sandwiched by log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and third-placed SuperSport United at the top of the table with 23 points from 13 matches.
At the beginning of the season, Richards Bay could have been on the list of relegation candidates for most punters but at the rate they are going — six wins, five draws and only two losses — they look at home in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
There is still a lot of PSL football to be played when the programme resumes after the World Cup in Qatar but they have garnered enough points to provide cushion in the second round.
As things stands, 12 points separate Richards Bay and bottom of the log sides Sekhukhune United and Maritzburg United and proper management of their remaining 17 games may guarantee their safety.
Though they have managed good results to put them in second spot on the log, cocoaches Pitso Dladla and Vasili Manousakis will be concerned they have managed to score only 11 goals.
Also worrying for Dladla and Manousakis is that their margins of victory have been close and they managed to score three goals in a match only once when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Chippa United.
At the back, Dladla and Manousakis will be looking for more of the same as they have conceded six goals, making them the second best defence after Sundowns who have let in five.
When the season resumes, Richards Bay will welcome struggling Swallows at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium where Dladla and Manousakis will be out to protect their second spot on the log.
On the evidence of their results, Dladla and Manousakis are working very well together in their co-coaching arrangement that was introduced by Sundowns and has become fashionable in the PSL.
The formula that has worked for Richards Bay is clever recruitment as they managed to attract experienced players like Abel Mabaso, Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Nkanyiso Zungu from Orlando Pirates and Luvuyo Memela from AmaZulu.
Also important for the club is that they kept key players who helped to promote the club last season — Malcolm Jacobs, Katlego Maphathe, Siphamandla Ncanana and Somila Ntsundwana.
Asked to reflect on their surprise start to the campaign, club owner Jomo Biyela said his boys surpassed his expectations. “I have always had confidence in the boys but they have exceeded my expectations,” he said.
“We didn’t think that by this stage of the season we would be sitting in that position but this is good for us. I am not saying we are safe from relegation because the only time you are safe is when you have collected enough points.
“The way they have been consistent gives us hope that there won’t be any danger of fighting relegation when the campaign resumes next month.”
Biyela said their impressive start was due to the recruitment of players and the coaches’ good relationship with each other and the players. “We have managed to put together good players with good character who are hungry for success. We also brought in experienced players who really understand their roles in terms of guiding the youngsters and they have added a lot of value,” he said.
“The other important thing is the relationship between coaches and players; we are one of those teams where if you are doing well on the field you are guaranteed to play because the team selects itself.”
It is looking good for the Natal Rich Boyz but the big question is whether they will be able to sustain their impressive start.