Richards Bay mentor calls for fighting spirit

Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel has urged his side to maintain their fighting spirit when the Natal Rich Boyz take on Polokwane City in their latest Betway Premiership encounter at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday night.

Kick-off is at 8:00pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The Natal Rich Boyz were on the end of a much-needed confidence booster last time out after recording a 2-1 win against Marumo Gallants at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Prior to their victory against Gallants, Richards Bay went on a four-match winless streak that included defeats against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City respectively.

As it stands, Richards Bay occupy 14th position on the log after 16 matches played, while Polokwane City sit comfortably in third spot with the same amount of games played.

Largely considered as the surprise package of the season, Phuti Mohafe’s charges are unbeaten in their last eight Betway Premiership games.

Rise and Shine recorded a 0-0 draw with TS Galaxy in their most recent league game and subsequently created a five-point gap over fourth placed Sekhukhune United heading into this weekend’s list of Betway Premiership fixtures.

WHAT WAS SAID

Speaking after Richards Bay’s win against Gallants, coach Ronnie Gabriel expressed that his side’s resilience will be needed in the second-half of the season.

"I agree that the fighting spirit has to remain the same,” Gabriel said.

“Having said that, all the other games we played and dropped points in, the effort was there, and the attitude was right, the players put in the hard yards, we just failed to convert [chances] in those games.”

Polokwane City veteran Puleng Marema recently revealed that he considered hanging up his boots soon after Rise and Shine were promoted to the PSL, which came at a period where he suffered a long-term injury before losing his mother in death.

Nevertheless, Marema continues to play an integral part of his side’s plans in 2025

“Unfortunately, when I was about to start playing [after a long-term injury], she passed away,” Marema said.

“Even now, as much as I’m happy about this achievement I’m not happy because my parents if they were there – could have been here celebrating with me. But I guess maybe it’s a part of life.

“I’m just grateful to the team, my family, my teammates, my friends, everyone.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Polokwane City: Oswin Appollis – As a player courted by big clubs in South Africa, Appollis eventually stayed with Rise and Shine for the remainder of the 24/25 campaign. Appollis’ form and fitness will no doubt have a direct impact on Polokwane City’s success in the latter stages of the season.

Richards Bay: Keegan Allan – In facing a free-flowing Polokwane City outfit, Allan will have to be switched on for the entire 90 minutes, especially when guiding his backline during high pressure moments.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last two league results:

2023/24 Richards Bay 0-1 Polokwane City

2023/24 Polokwane City 0-0 Richards Bay