Kaitano Tembo, Coach of Richards Bay FC has called on his players to make the DStv Premiership a priority. Picture: Gerhard Duraan, BackpagePix
THE DStv Premiership Derby spotlight moves to KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, with Royal AM and Richards Bay renewing their DStv Premiership rivalry at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg (kick-off 3.30pm).
Both teams are close to the bottom of the Premiership standings and log points rather than bragging rights will be of utmost importance.
Hosts Royal AM in 14th spot on the standings are four points above the relegation zone. A win over Richards Bay would move AM further away from the bottom two spots. Of late they claimed a 2-1 win over Cape Town Spurs following two defeats.
Bay are winless in their last two matches across all competitions, leaving coach Kaitano Tembo urging his team to simply focus on the Premiership.
⚫️🟡 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘 ⚫️🟡
— RoyalAM_FC (@RAMFC_sa) December 10, 2023
🆚 Richardsbay Fc
🗓️ 10 Dec
⏰ 15h30
🏟️ Harry Gwala Stadium
🏆 @dstvpremiershipp
🎫 WebTicket, also available at Picknpay and Sasol garage PMB YMCA.
📱 https://t.co/hPV5jjwuQO#royalam #thwihlithwahla #matchday pic.twitter.com/feXxw5ii9i
“It depends on how we are going to take it (the cup defeat) as a team. I think we need to dust ourselves off and focus. We did well to reach the semi-final, but our main focus now should be the league,” said Tembo.
The Natal Rich Boyz find themselves 15th on the standings, seven points above 16th-placed Spurs. A win today would also ease their relegation concerns.
#NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/M73DIvAI7c
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) December 5, 2023
Both teams have no suspension concerns, and they are yet to report any injuries coming into their KwaZulu-Natal Derby clash.
Royal AM captain Samuel Manganyi said: “A KZN Derby is always difficult whether you are in form or not. The fact is that both teams need the three points.
“You can see where we are on the log. It is not good, so it is going to be a difficult game. Since the Motsepe Foundation Championship days, there has been a rivalry between the two teams.
“We just need to get there and work hard and if we can keep on doing that, we can do better.
“I think working hard and team spirit is helping at this stage. If we can keep on doing that and emulating what we have been doing in our previous games, I think we can do better.
“We want to turn the Harry Gwala Stadium into our fortress. The support that we get is huge so if we can win more games, it will be better for us.
“We want to play good football and we appeal to our fans to come in numbers and support us.”
Manganyi will be playing alongside Kabelo Mahlasela, the skilful attacking midfielder who remains one of AM’s key players. He has provided three assists in the league and his creativity could be key to the side’s chances in the KZN Derby.
Upfront, Royal AM have Menzi Masuku, an experienced attacker who has become a reliable source of goals. He netted in the wins over Lamontville Golden Arrows and Spurs. Coach John Maduka will be looking to Masuku for goals.
Bay will pin their hopes on Sanele Barns as the player with the most goal contributions (two goals and one assist) in the league this season. His speed and trickery will be key to unsettling AM defence.
Alongside Barns, Yanela Mbuthuma, a promising striker, grabbed an assist the last time the Natal Rich Boyz won a league game against Spurs. He’ll be looking to light up the KZN Derby with a goal or two and cement his place in the side.
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