The inconsistent start of many teams in the DStv Premiership this season gives Richards Bay a shot in the arm that they can dream big, says co-coach Pitso Dladla.
In fact, Dladla said the inconsistency of league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and the rebuilding Kaizer Chiefs gives Bay a chance to punch above their weight in their maiden top-flight campaign.
Bay went back to the top of the DStv Premiership after a well-drilled performance to beat Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday.
In winning the new instalment of KwaZulu-Natal Derby through Luvuyo Memela, Dladla’s side replaced Royal AM at the summit due to their superior goal difference but levelled on 13 points having played seven matches while Am eight.
However, Sundowns, who have won the league in the last five seasons, are yet to hit top gear, having lost two of their opening six games.
Pirates, who were at the top before the start of last weekend, were dethroned after losing to Maritzburg United.
This has opened up an opportunity for Bay to believe that they can do something magical this season since no side is opening the gap for the league chase.
“There are two things. One, the way the fixtures are structured, you play matches every three days and that gives us an advantage because where we were in the Motsepe Foundation Championship it was high tempo matches,” said Dladla.
“If you look at the team that started the match against Royal AM, only three matches have huge experience of playing in the DStv Premiership. It was Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Abel Mabaso and Memela and the rest are the players we had last season.
“So we know right now we have energy, it is what is helping us. But we know as time goes by, tactics, maturity and game management will be required. By the time we reach that stage, we will have adapted.”
Although things are going well thus far for Bay, Dladla said the main target is to save their status but also copy what Sekhukhune United did last season in the first round.
Sekhukhune, having won the Championship via the boardroom in the 2020-21 season, won seven matches in the first round the last term, spending the majority of the time in the top half.
However, in the second round, they won only one match, which was enough to see them finish 11th on the table.
“We want to collect as many points as possible because to be fair many teams are yet to find combinations,” Dladla said. “We want by the time teams have found combinations, we have collected enough points to survive.”
