Richards Bay boost has coach dreaming of top-eight finish

A haul of seven points from three games in the Betway Premiership this month has given Richards Bay a major boost, lifting them out of the relegation places and away from the drop zone.

It has even prompted coach Ronnie Gabriel to suggest they are capable of a top-eight finish.

“Top eight is very possible, because you look at the teams from fourth place to 12th, we are all clustered up there. It takes you two wins, and then you are there, and there's still 12-13 league games to go. It's a long way to go,” he said.

Richards Bay collected a rare away point on Friday when they held Stellenbosch to a 1-1 draw at the Danie Craven Stadium.

They have won one away game and drawn two of nine matches on the road in the league this season.

The point in Stellenbosch followed on two home successes against Marumo Gallants and Polokwane City and Richards Bay will be looking for more when they next play on Saturday, hosting Chippa United in Durban

“Yeah, we’re positive about the team and the way they're playing,” added Gabriel.

“I'm sure if you followed our past previous results, the last four or five games, we've been very good. We’ve been picking up points at home and dominating the opposition, creating clear-cut goal-scoring chances and it was a matter of time before we turned it around. Just a few more victories and we can be closer to the top eight.”