By Michael Madyira
Richards Bay has fired coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi and already has a new coach lined up.
This decision comes just as the 2024-25 season starts, following last weekend’s MTN8 quarter-final matches.
Vilakazi’s future had been in question for weeks after Richards Bay’s new sponsors suggested getting a new coach.
Richards Bay chairman Jomo Boyela said they would release a statement on Tuesday, but Scrolla.Africa understands that Vilakazi has already been let go.
Vilakazi spent most of the pre-season with the team, preparing for the new term.
He was fired despite helping Richards Bay avoid relegation from the PSL through the promotion/relegation play-offs.
The club struggled last season, and Vilakazi took over in December 2023 when they were second from the bottom on the PSL table.
Talk of replacing him started after Richards Bay began pre-season training.
Rhulani Mokwena, who joined Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca last month, confirmed that Richards Bay had approached him.
Reports say that Brandon Truter will be the new coach. Vilakazi turned down an offer to be the assistant coach, which led to his departure.
Truter, who left Sekhukhune United last season, is now set to return to Richards Bay, a club he previously coached in the National First Division.
Pictured above: Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
Source: Richards Bay
