Comment by Smiso Msomi
RICHARDS Bay FC have been placed in an unfamiliar position that could affect the lifelong sustainability of the club.
A season after surviving relegation from the Premiership, the Natal Rich Boyz have hit something of a jackpot after securing a new multi-million rand sponsorship ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The KwaZulu-Natal-based club scored a substantial financial boost through a R100 million sponsorship deal with the Phakwe Group.
The sponsorship arrangement allocates R60m to the club’s first team over the next three seasons, translating to R20m per season.
The remaining R40m is allocated for developing training facilities, significantly enhancing the club’s infrastructure.
Although split over three years, the money pumped into the club could elevate the ambitions of a side only in their third season in the top flight.
It's official Richards Bay Football Club & Phakwe group have partnered.
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) July 10, 2024
#ClubAnnouncement #NatalRichBoyZ #SoaringBackToRichardsBay pic.twitter.com/0rB4I31KOv
Phakwe Group CEO Thabiso Tenyane has already expressed his desire to help Richards Bay compete among the league’s top four clubs, although that’s perhaps a little far-fetched at this juncture.
While plans to furnish the club with training facilities get underway, the most immediate concern for chairman Jomo Biyela is expected to be the quality of his squad of players.
Having already dumped Vusumuzi Vilakazi for the more experienced Brandon Truter as head coach, the KZN club have also already made six signings in attempts to improve their group.
If the club is to ‘level up’ in the coming season, Truter and Co have to address significant positions to build their core.
🎥 Welcome Coach Brandon Truter 🤝#NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/4Aw2E7Gp1s
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) August 8, 2024
Richards Bay have done well to retain the services of sought-after Ugandan goalkeeper Salim Magoola, but he will need more experience in front of him if he is to return to the 12 clean sheets he attained two seasons ago.
Centre-back and captain Simphiwe Mcineka’s energy and aggressive approach could be perfectly channelled by a more experienced partner in defence.
The second position that needs to be addressed by the club is that of a creative box-to-box midfielder.
#NatalRichBoyZ 🏃♂️🏋♂️ pic.twitter.com/5PpV2ziUDl
Despite the arrival of Siyethemba Sithebe and Tlakusani Mthethwa, neither possesses the vision and imagination to break down the most difficult defences.
With Richards Bay needing to score more goals than the 24 they managed last season in the league, they’re going to have to bring on board a winger and a more reliable goal scorer to compliment that No 10-like player.
📷 Work O'clock ⏰️ 🏃♂️🏋♂️ #NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/DmvHxRvF8e
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) August 13, 2024
The club deployed the big and burly Somila Ntsundwana on the left wing frequently, but he does not possess the requisite skill to consistently deliver the required statistics in that position.
With the arrival of Thabiso Kutumela and Thabang Sibanyoni, they now have Khuda Myaba and Yanela Mbuthuma as recognised No 9s.
However, only Kutumela has scored more than 10 league goals in a single season, and he has dropped off since then.
The club may need a more reliable figure to support or take over from the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns man if and when things start to go wrong.