SuperSport start the season with a win

SuperSport start the season with a win

SuperSport United brushed aside Richards Bay by 2-0 in a DStv premiership clash at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors were able to counterattack Matsatsantsa in the eighth minute however Kegan Johannes made a huge block to prevent a shot to keep the score leveled at 0-0.

SUPERSPORT UNITED OPEN DSTV PREMIERSHIP ACCOUNT WITH A WIN

It was an afternoon to remember for Shandre Campbell as the youngster showed a lot of potential. The 18-year-old delivered a cross in the box only for Gamphani Lungu to send his effort wide in the 15th minute.

Campbell combined well with Bradley Grobler in the 18th minute with some nice touches, however, it was Magoola who collected it comfortably.

Campbell also came close in the 21st minute after making a solo run and unfortunately, the ball went wide.

SuperSport United start the DStv Premiership season with a win
Shandre Campbell

BRADLEY GROBLER’S MISFORTUNES CONTINUE

Striker Bradley Grobler got substituted in the 37th minute after he sustained an injury. The injury looked not bad as the player walked himself out of the pitch. However the extension of his injury was not known at that time. He was replaced by a new signing Etiosa Ighodaro.

The second half got underway and the Spartans continued to press Richards Bay. They were eventually rewarded as the new marksman Terrance Dzvukamanja opened the scoring in the 55th minute. This is after a great pass also from Shandre Campbell in the box.

Matsatsantsa doubled their lead through another new signing in Etiosa Ighodaro in the 71st minute of the game.

Richards Bay never threatened the host and did not look like a team that can score even a goal. The match ended 2-0 in favour of Matsatsantsa a Pitori and started their campaign on a positive note.

By Sebastian Meso

Richards Bay captain hopes his team do better

Richards Bay captain hopes his team do better

Richards Bay captain Katleho Maphathe is hopeful his team will do better in the DStv premiership compared to last season.

The Natal Rich Boys have finished in 13th position on their first experience in the PSL top league. Maphathe who played 28 league matches for his club last season has revealed to LimSportsZone in an exclusive interview about how the preparations ahead of the new season has been going under the new coach Kaitano Tembo.

ALSO READ: Richards Bay fire Manousakis and his coaching Staff

“Preparations are good, we already know how the coach wants us to play and we [are] getting there. He came late but we already know what we want [from us],” Maphathe told LimSportsZone.

Richards Bay lost against their KwaZulu Natal rivals AmaZulu on Sunday in a pre-season tournament on penalties in Princess Magogo stadium in KwaMashu.

Richards Bay captain Katleho Maphathe hopes his team do better
Richards Bay v AmaZulu

KATLEHO MAPHATHE PLEASED WITH RICHARDS BAY PREPS

The 30-year-old said it was good for them to be in the final even though they failed.

“Look, the Premier Cup gives everyone a chance to play. To be in a final is something good for us and as you know penalties are a lottery. So, I’m satisfied with how we are doing currently.

Despite not using their chances to finish in the top-eight position. Richards Bay captain wants his team to finish in the top position at the end of the season.

“I will be happy if we can reach the top eight this season because remember last season all we wanted was to be in the league which we did. Now what we want is to be in the top eight.

Richards Bay will begin their new DStv premiership campaign away from home when they visit SuperSport United next week Saturday.

By Katleho Hlalele

Richards Bay fire Manousakis and his coaching Staff

Richards Bay fire Manousakis and his coaching Staff

Richards Bay have fired head coach Vasili Manousakis and his two assistant coaches, Pitso Dladla and Ronnie Gabriel ahead of the 2023/2024 season.

The DStv Premiership side released a statement on Wednesday, confirming the letting go of coaches after just a season in the top flight.

The former AmaZulu assistant coach, Manousakis, took charge as a head coach in August 2022, while Gabriel and Pitso were with the team from 2021.

ALSO READ: CSA announces 2022/23 Awards nominees

The three men have guided the Natal Rich Boys to a good first half of the season, keeping them in second position for quite a time.

But a poor second-round of the season record, consisting of losses and draws, helped bring an end to the coaches’ tenures at the club.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit were fighting to avoid the relegation axe and eventually, they ended in the 13th spot in the table with 33 points.

Richards Bay fire Vasili Manousakis and his coaching Staff
Pitso Dladla

RICHARDS BAY TAKE DECISION ON COACHES

Manousakis has been sacked together with his entire technical team, just less than a few months before the next season commences.

“Richards Bay Football Club would like to announce the departure of head coach MR. Vasili Manousakis, Mr. Pitso Dladla and Mr. Ronnie Gabriel, the two assistant coaches,” the club stated.

“The club would like to thank them for their contribution during last season. We wish them all the best in their future Endeavors.

“The announcement of the new technical team is in due course.”

By Clifton Mabasa

Richards Bay coach makes defensive claim after poor run

Richards Bay coach makes defensive claim after poor run

Richards Bay assistant coach Ronnie Gabriel has made a defensive claim after his side’s poor string of results of late.

This comes after their unfortunate 1-0 defeat to the champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.

The Natal Rich Boys won the First National Division title and gained promotion to the DStv Premiership last season. At the start of their maiden top-tier season, Bay occupied position two for quite some time.

However, things changed in the second round of the season, where they saw themselves struggling to keep their winning momentum.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit had now run 12 games without a win in all competitions. They are now amongst the relegation-threatened teams as they sit 10th on the table with 32 points—just seven points ahead of 16th Maritzburg United.

RICHARDS BAY CHAIRMAN MANDATE AT THE START OF THE SEASON

Addressing the media after the match on Tuesday, the unworried Gabriel cited that the mandate from the chairman was to save the DStv Premiership team’s status.

“We were not naive that we were going to win the league, no, we knew that we were a newly promoted team,” Gabriel told journalists.

“We also knew the mandate from the chairman. The mandate was very simple for him because he knows the game very well. The chairman said to us, you just need to save the status.

“So the expectations were not as high as some people may think. At all his press conferences, and all his press releases, he was clear that we just need to save the status and the team is doing very well.

THE AWARENESS OF THE DSTV PREMIERSHIP HARD TIMES

Gabriel has also added that they were aware that things were going to be difficult in the second half of the season as they’re the newbies in the South African top-tier division.

“We understand the situation very well, we do understand that we are the newly promoted team into the league. This is the first season in the DStv Premiership for Richard Bay,” he said.

“So we understand the dynamics of the league. Initially, we managed to pick up some points and we earned those points. Coming to the second round of the season, we knew we were always going to go through a difficult time.

“We also knew because it comes with experience. So maybe in the upcoming season, with a bit of experience we will be able to manage the situation better.”

By Clifton Mabasa

Sundowns return to winning ways domestically

Sundowns return to winning ways domestically

The DStv Premiership Champions Mamelodi Sundowns have claimed a 1-0 win over Richards Bay at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Tshwane on Tuesday afternoon.

Masandawana settled as early as the fifth minute and looked comfortable while the visitors were oppressed and couldn’t manage to make a single threat to the hosts as they were forced to defend on their own half.

The visitors were showing a glimpse of improvement as they were afforded a couple of clear opportunities to make a scoreline look however it wasn’t to be as the hosts were quick enough to close the doors at the back.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PRESSURE PAID OFF AFTER WIN OVER RICHARDS BAY

The hosts looked dangerous as they were pressing high and they were rewarded in the 24th minute of the first half as Thapelo Morena got his name on the score sheet following a poor clearance in the box from Richards Bay after a great cross from the right flank.

The Natal Rich Boyz got themselves back into the game and enjoyed a lengthy possession. However, Masandawana stood firm towards the end of the first half. But they went on to the break with a slender lead.

The second half got underway as the visitors showed their intentions to level matters. They came close 10 minutes into the second half however it was Ronwen Williams who came to the rescue.

RONWEN WILLIAMS GOT 17 DSTV PREMIERSHIP CLEAN SHEETS

Ronwen Williams has reached 17 clean sheets in the DStv Premiership in a season equaling Moneeb Joseph’s 2009/10 season.

Mamelodi Sundowns were having difficulties in controlling the game as the visitors did well to shut down any chance. Richards Bay were throwing numbers up front toward the dying minute of the game. It wasn’t to be as Masandawana held on and won the game.

By Sebastian Meso

Late Richards Bay player Siphamandla Mtolo laid to rest 

Late Richards Bay player Siphamandla Mtolo laid to rest 

Richards Bay midfielder Siphamandla Mtolo was laid to rest at his home of Nkobongo, KwaZulu Natal on Sunday. 

Mtolo collapsed on Tuesday while he was at training with the rest of his teammates. This was three days after he played for the club during a 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank cup. 

Tributes for Siphamandla Mtolo 

Condolences have been pouring in for the 29-year-old. This includes a tribute by former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane who is now at Saudi Arabia club Al-Ahli Saudi. 

“God please help us to accept that he is no longer with us but with you. Difficult though! Rest well in Peace, Spepe!.” Coach Mosimane wrote in a Twitter post on Friday. 

The cause of his death still remains unknown, as the family and club are still waiting for an official report from the hospital. During the funeral service which was held at Nkobongo Sports Ground, club boss Jomo Biyela revealed that they have officially retired his jersey number 4 in his honour. Biyela has also pledged to take care of Mtolo’s children. 

Thousands paid their last respects to late Richards Bay captain Siphamandla Mtolo on Sunday.
Thousands paid their last respects to late Richards Bay captain Siphamandla Mtolo on Sunday.

Also read: Motsepe mourns the passing of Mtolo and Moustapha

“He was 29-year-old but he was a legend,” Biyela told Newzroom Africa. 

“People from different teams. People from different walks of life celebrated Spepe today. It’s a very sad day for us as Richards Bay but we are also happy to have Spepe as our captain, I think he led us well.”

Biyela described Mtolo as a disciplined and dedicated player. 

“To be honest, discipline is the key. You can have all the talent but if you are not disciplined I can tell you now that talent won’t take you too far. He did not die in a tavern, he died at work (on the field of play.”

Richards Bay retire jersey number 4 

“If there was any player with ambitions to wear jersey number 4, that jersey is no longer available. It’s not available because we retired the jersey.”

Coaches and players from fellow PSL clubs in KZN were also in attendance to pay their last respects. 

By Khotso Ramalatswa 

PSL player Mtolo collapsed and die during a training session

PSL player Mtolo collapsed and die during a training session

PSL club Richards Bay have announced the passing of their midfielder Siphamandla Mtolo. The 29-year-old collapsed and died during a training session on Tuesday morning, the club announced.

Mtolo has been part of the Natal Rich Boys team since 2020 and was the captain when the club gained promotion to the DStv Premiership last season.

His last match was against Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank loss on Saturday.  

SIPHAMANDLA MTOLO COLLAPSES AND DIES IN TRAINING

“It is with deep sadness to announce that Richards Bay football club has ultimately lost one of the midfielders Siphamandla ‘Spepe’ Mtolo. He collapsed this morning during training,” the club announced.

“The club is not in a position to provide further information at this stage. We ask that his family’s privacy is respected in this difficult time of bereavement.

ALSO READ: Referee Moeketsi Max Molelekoa die in an accident

“His presence both on and off the pitch will be sorely missed. Thoughts and prayers of everyone in Richards Bay football club are with his family, friends, and loved ones,” read the statement.

PSL TO HONOUR THE LATE MTOLO

The PSL has also sent their condolences and confirmed that a moment of silence will be observed in his honour in all their matches this week.

“The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Richards Bay Football Club midfielder, Siphamandla Mtolo,” the league said.

ALSO READ: PSL mourns the passing of Peter ‘squire’ Mancer

“A moment of silence will be observed in his honour at this week’s Nedbank Cup and DStv Diski Challenge fixtures.

The PSL sends heartfelt condolences to the Mtolo family, Richards Bay FC, and the football fraternity at large. May his soul repose peacefully.”

Some of the PSL clubs including Kaizer Chiefs have also sent their condolences.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and Richards Bay FC following the tragic passing of Siphamandla Mtolo.”

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Tzaneen-born striker Judas Moseamedi has found a new home

Tzaneen-born striker Judas Moseamedi has found a new home

Marumo Gallants have secured the services of the former Stellenbosch FC striker Judas Moseamedi on a six-month deal.

Moseamedi joins Bahlabane ba Ntwa as a free agent after parting ways with the Stellies during the FIFA World Cup break.

Moseamedi joined the Western Cape based outfit at the beginning of the 2021/22 season. He made 32 appearances while scoring six goals.    

The 28-year-old struggled for game- time at Stellies this season as he only made six appearances for the club. He came on as a substitute in all the six matches he played failing to make any real contribution.

The burly striker trained with Richards Bay and Maritzburg United this month after his Stellenbosch exit. But nothing came out of the trials with the two KZN clubs.

JUDAS MOSEAMEDI EXCITED ABOUT MARUMO DEAL

“I feel very excited to be part of Marumo Gallants family,” Moseamedi told the club’s media department.

“I am looking forward to making my debut for the club. So that I can help the team to score more goals,” he said.

“I think we have to support each other and if we can support each other, we can be able to score important goals and give it our all to the team and make our supporters happy.”

MARUO HOIPING TO EXTEND MOSEAMEDI CONTRACT

In a statement on Wednesday, the club said the contract is valid for a six-month period subject for renewal at the end of the season.

“Marumo Gallants F. C. is delighted to secure the services of the former Stellenbosch F. C striker Judas Moseamedi.

“The Limpopo born goal poacher could not hide his excitement after penning down a six-month contract with Bahlabane ba Ntwa which is subject to renewal at the end of the season, we wish him all the best and hope he will be a great asset to the team” the club tweeted.

Marumo will be next in action when they visit AmaZulu on Saturday, 21 January at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

By Robert Matakanye

Rampant Mamelodi Sundowns unstoppable as they defeat Richards Bay

Rampant Mamelodi Sundowns unstoppable as they defeat Richards Bay

Defending DStv Premiership Champions Mamelodi Sundowns proved to be unstoppable once again after a 2-0 win over Richards Bay at King Goodwill Zwelithini on Friday evening.

Inform forward Cassius Mailula opened the scoring for Mamelodi Sundowns five minutes before halftime.

As expected Masandawana continued with their dominance in the second stanza.

Haashim Domingo increased the lead in the 66th minute with a rebound shot. Sundowns remain top of the log with 37 points from 15 matches. They are now 10 points ahead of second-placed SuperSport United.

Richards Bay on the other hand remains in third position with 26 points from 15 matches.

“The highlight is the players, the magnificent work that the players put in,” coach Rhulani Mokwena told SuperSport TV.

“Congratulations to the players, congratulations to the yellow nation. It’s beautiful to see them happy and singing like this.”

ON RONWEN WILLIAMS PERFORMANCE

“That’s why you have a team you know from number nine up until the goalkeeper. He was fantastic and a fantastic team contribution. To be honest today we ran a little bit out of kegs. That was the only reason we made the subs.”

MOKWENA ON MAKING SUBS

“I didn’t want to make subs to tell you the truth. Even though at moments we were suffering. Because a team is like a little baby, in good moments it must enjoy together. But also, in difficult moments we must suffer together. But I had to make the changes because of the midweek game and this being the third game in a short space of time we ran out of little legs.”

Mamelodi Sundowns v Richards Bay
Mamelodi Sundowns v Richards Bay


LINE UPS
𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗶 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀

XI | Williams, Mudau, Modiba, Kekana, Mvala, Mokoena, Zwane, Allende, Maema, Domingo, Mailula.

SUBS | D. Onyango, Ngobeni, De Reuck, Jali, Mkhulise, Mbule, Sirino, Motupa, Kapinga.

Richards Bay XI

XI | Magoola, Mathebula, Mabua, Mthethwa, Barns, Mtolo, Nyauza, Maphathe, Zungu, Ntsundwana, Hlongwa.

SUBS: Jacobs, Dlamini, Makateng, Mthembu, Majadibodu, Memela, Mbuthuma, Mabuya, Ochieng.
Sundowns will host Chippa United in their coming league encounter. Richards Bay will travel to Limpopo to face strugglers Marumo Gallants.

In the other DStv Premiership match on Friday evening, Swallows beat Chippa United 2-0.