Richards Bay boss Ronnie Gabriel targets fast start against Polokwane City

Richards Bay FC head coach Ronnie Gabriel wants his side to begin the new Betway Premiership season strongly when they host Polokwane City on Sunday, after last season’s campaign was undermined by three defeats in their opening three matches.

Gabriel has taken full control of the Richards Bay team for the first time after making a remarkable rise from amateur football to the highest level of South African football. His immediate challenge is to ensure the Natal Rich Boyz do not repeat the slow start that left them chasing momentum throughout the previous campaign.

Richards Bay failed to collect a single point from their first three matches last season, including their opening three home games. Gabriel believes a clear tactical identity and the support of the home crowd can help his team overcome any early-season uncertainty and turn Umhlathuze Sports Complex into a stronghold.

“If you look at last season,we didn’t pick up points in our first three home games,and this season we want to change that,” Gabriel said.

“We want to start on the front foot,pick up points early on,and stay in the top half of the log.So that’s what we will be doing,starting this weekend at home.”

The first test of that approach will come against Polokwane City, one of the Betway Premiership’s most disciplined and difficult opponents.

Polokwane City will also begin the match under a new head coach, Willy Moloto, but Gabriel does not expect significant changes to the way the Rise and Shine play. He says their consistency over recent seasons makes it likely that their intensity and tactical structure will remain familiar.

“We don’t know much of what to expect,but we wouldn’t expect the coach to change much in his approach.Because if you look at Polokwane City over the past few seasons,they have been a very consistent outfit,” Gabriel said.

He expects Polokwane City to continue using a 4-3-1-2 formation, with the full-backs encouraged to push forward and a double pivot providing the base in midfield.

“They’re on a 4-3-1-2 formation with fullbacks going higher up the pitch and a double pivot.”

The fixture represents an important first opportunity for Gabriel to establish himself in the Richards Bay hot seat. With responsibility for the team’s performances now resting firmly on his shoulders, he is looking to a united squad and strong backing from supporters to give the home side an early advantage.

Richards Bay’s priority is to collect points immediately, avoid another difficult opening sequence and remain in the top half of the league table. Their campaign begins at home against Polokwane City at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Sunday, with kick-off at 15:00.