Extra Time: With a new sponsor coming in with a lot of money, Michael Madyira argues that firing coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi now would be a bad move for Richards Bay FC.
Positive developments happened at Richards Bay last week when the club revealed a new sponsor.
A financial injection of around R100-million came with the signing of some high-profile players.
They included former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siyethembe Sithebe and the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Thabiso Kutumela and Keagan Allan, among other new arrivals.
However, there were worrying comments when the sponsor suggested they could bring in a surprise new coach.
Vusumuzi Vilakazi is currently steering the ship at Natal Rich Boyz after taking over the reins in December 2023 when Kaitan Tembo was fired.
He took over a frustrated team struggling to escape relegation from the PSL, and the battle for survival continued.
There was a time when Richards Bay appeared on course for demotion during the regular season but ended up surviving at the relegation/promotion play-offs.
Vilakazi guided them to safety, and their top-flight league status was confirmed.
While it is natural that any sponsor wants to reap huge returns from their investment, making technical team changes is not their job.
Sacking Vilakazi has the potential to rock the steady Richards Bay ship.
Judging from the calibre of their signings, the coach is building a competitive squad ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Richards Bay regrouped for pre-season training on 4 July, and the coach has already signed players he believes fit in his system and is already implementing how he wants his charges to play in the new season.
If a new coach is appointed, the available players might not be suitable for his game, and he might have a philosophy different from Vilakazi’s.
That would mean a whole new start while the new season is edging closer to kicking off.
If results are not forthcoming in the new term, that would be a different matter, but for now, Richards Bay needs to stick with Vilakazi.
Pictured above: Richards Bay FC coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
Source: Richards Bay FC
