The Natal Rich Boyz have had an up-and-down first half of the season. They are rooted in the basement of the DStv Premiership, having won two games, drawn four and lost seven. However, their knockout campaign has been a different story altogether.
Richards Bay’s coach Kaitano Tembo is confident they’ll put home-ground advantage against Stellenbosch in the Carling Knockout semi-final to good use, though he’s asked his troops to remain grounded.
The Natal Rich Boyz have had an up-and-down first half of the season. They are rooted in the basement of the DStv Premiership, having won two games, drawn four and lost seven.
However, their knockout campaign has been a different story altogether.
They are in the semi-final of the new knockout cup, where they’ll host Stellies in uMlazi on Saturday. And for a team that was promoted to the top flight last season, reaching their first cup final in just their second season would be an impressive feat and a dream come true.
This would be a first final in the PSL for some of the players, including the highly rated goalie Salim Magoola and attacker Sanele Barns, as the squad is centred around youngsters.
“I think it’ll be very important for the club, brand and some of the players to reach the final. I think it will be for the first time some of the players will get to play in a final (if we win),” Tembo explained.
“That’s what we want – to put the club out there. I think everyone around the club, including the management, are working very hard. So, credit should go to them for putting in effort.”
But before they can dream of playing in a cup final, the Natal Rich Boys have a hurdle in front of them: Stellenbosch, who are eager to make up for their recent disappointment in cup semi-finals.
Stellies are in their third successive semi-final, having lost the last two to Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup and Orlando Pirates in the MTN8.
The Stellies players also boast a strong work ethic so Tembo knows that they’ll have to work hard to reach the promised land.
“We are not there yet. We need to be humble and focus on the job at hand, which is our game against Stellenbosch on Saturday,” Tembo said.
“They are a good team, and they have a high work ethic. So, we are going to expect that. They are a team that blends well together. But we should be able to match that.”
Sure, Richards Bay will have to match Stellies on the pitch but they are also banking on the support of their 12th man to help them reach the promised land.
Richards Bay have played both games in the competition so far at home, where they beat both Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates.
“On one side, we have that advantage of playing in front of our own fans and I think that has played a huge part in our progress,” said Tembo.
“At the same time, these are cup games and they are tough. We played Swallows and Pirates – they were tough.
“Credit should go to the players and fans who’ve been pushing the team,” he concluded.
