Rich Boyz may be dark horses
In one more match we will officially be a third of the way through the DStv Premiership season, and the closest challengers to Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table are a surprise, and even that is a serious understatement.
Richards Bay FC only gained promotion to the top flight this season, but are turning heads, currently only two points behind the all-conquering
Masandawana.
Pitso Dladla and Vasili Manousakis have done a superb job, particularly at the back, where last season’s National First Division champions have conceded even less goals than Sundowns. The Natal Rich Boyz have let in just three goals in nine league games, and are currently ruling over KZN, having already won this season away at Golden Arrows, Royal AM and AmaZulu.
Orlando Pirates may well be regretting letting Ntsikelelo Nyauza leave the club, so instant has his impact been at the back, while Sudanese goalkeeper Salim Jamal has impressed since joining this season, as has another former Buccaneer, Abel Mabaso.
The win over AmaZulu seemed to precipitate Brandon Truter’s departure from
Usuthu yesterday, while Khabo Zondo is nowhere to be seen at Royal AM under a month after Richards Bay won 1-0 in their backyard.
In attack, Dladla and Manousakis’ side have been less fluent, and this is where they will surely have to improve if they are to maintain a title challenge going forward.
No player has scored more than once for the team in their opening nine league games, and only one of their victories have been decided by more than a one goal margin, the 2-0 victory at Arrows.
Only Pirates have scored fewer than their seven goals in the top half of the table, and while they do have veteran Luvuyo Memela at their disposal, perhaps a lack of top-flight experience is hampering them here.
Richards Bay also need to improve their home form – all but one of their wins so far have come on the road. But if they can do this, who knows, maybe they could even be leading the table heading into the break for the Fifa World Cup?