Richards Bay FC could move to the summit of the DStv Premiership table in their next fixture but there are no Leicester City talks emanating from the camp yet, coach Vasili Manousakis admits.
The Motsepe Foundation Champions title winners are in their first season in the top flight and the technical team were initially set a mandate of ‘keeping the team in the league’ but after 10 games, they are in second place and just two points off league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, albeit having played a game more than the reigning champions.
Under Pitso Dladla and Manousakis, they have defied all expectations, lead by their impeccable defensive record of conceding only three goals with seven clean sheets accredited to in-form Salim Magoola between the sticks.
But after their 0-0 draw with Orlando Pirates with ten men for the entire second half at Orlando, the former AmaZulu assistant coach admit title talk is not on the agenda but went on to hail some of the rookies in their squad.
“There hasn’t been much rotation because it’s been about consistency and that can either be tough for the ones that are not playing, but when you see the fighting or unity, fighting to the death like Wednesday night and scoring in injury-time, the togetherness of the players, that counts for something,” he said.
“I think we’re a third into the season now, ten games for us, no Leicester City talk or dreams or anything like that now but ya, one of the big issues is there are no egos, we have personalities, but there are no egos that have arrived and calling to be played.
“I think that’s been the key if you look at how we started, no different from [against AmaZulu], eight former NFD players, eight in the starting line-up, only Nyauza, Mabaso and Memela… that tells you something, that the guys are up for it and long may it continue.”
The Natal Richboyz will now face their struggling KwaZulu Natal rivals Maritzburg United next in the league on Saturday and three points would take them above Masandawana.
