Darwin Gonzalez Cape Town City striker Darwin Gonzalez will pose a danger against Richards Bay. Photo: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media
Image: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media
In a battle of the basement dwellers, Richards Bay FC will welcome fellow strugglers Cape Town City to the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Friday night (7.30pm kick-off) in a crucial Premiership match.
Richards Bay are in 13th place, while Cape Town City FC hold 14th position after rank poor form this season, finding themselves just a point above the relegation zone and in dire need of a victory to bolster their aspirations for survival.
The Natal Rich Boyz, as Richards Bay are popularly known, suffered a 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu FC in their last outing.
This was their only win in their previous five outings, which also included two draws and two losses.
Despite the loss to AmaZulu, Richards Bay coach Papi Zothwane is hopeful for a stronger performance at home on Friday night.
“We knew approaching the game about where we stand in the relegation zone, and when you look at that, it looks like we take two steps forward and four steps back. But for me, our players have done well,” said Zothwane.
“We’ve played seven games and remained unbeaten, and we were one of the top three teams.
“Sometimes we were on form, and sometimes things like these (defeats) happen. You saw AmaZulu coming from three losses, and they won the match against us.
“We can take positives from the game and build on, but as a coach, I’m happy to see players progressing and others getting opportunities.”
Zothwane will be looking for Yanela Mbuthuma to lead the attack and crack the City defence.
With four goals and one assist in the Premiership, the 23-year-old Mbuthuma is the Natal Rich Boyz’ top scorer, and he will shoulder the team’s hopes of securing a win over the Mother City visitors.
Richards Bay and Cape Town City have no suspension concerns coming into this encounter, and are yet to report injuries in their camp.
In their last match, City extended their winless run to 11 matches in the Premiership after they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United at home. It was their second defeat in their last three games.
City have been grappling with the psychological pressure of languishing near the bottom of the table, and this has come with intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
City coach Diogo Peral said the squad are in search of renewed confidence, but feels a positive result could also ignite a much-needed resurgence in form.
“We need to step up physically and mentally, because the confidence is gone," said Peral.
“I don’t think the guys in the last two games showed a lack of will to win.
“The thing is when you have not won games for this long and the opposition has 10 good minutes, then you are in trouble.
“Despite the results, the last two games were better, and confidence was better.”
Peral’s scoring weapon, Venezuelan Darwin Gonzalez, has been the Citizens’ main source of goals in the league, having netted three times, and he could be the player to inspire his side to a win in Durban.
With both Richards Bay and City fighting to break free from the basement of the league, this clash promises to be a gripping encounter as they vie for survival and dominance at King Zwelithini Stadium.