Richards Bay coach backs Nqaba Xulu to score up to 12 goals this season

Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel believes striker Nqaba Xulu can finish the season with between 10 and 12 goals after making an impressive start to his career with the club.

Xulu joined the Natal Rich Boyz before the start of the campaign from cross-town rivals Milford FC and has quickly established himself as a key option in attack.

The centre-forward has scored three goals in four starts, moving ahead of Lundi Mahala in the pecking order. Mahala was an important striker for Richards Bay last season.

Xulu produced his most notable performance so far in the Betway Premiership when he scored both of Richards Bay’s goals in their 2-2 draw against Kaizer Chiefs. His contribution also earned him the Man of the Match award.

Gabriel said the striker had already demonstrated that he possessed the quality required to perform at this level and challenged him to maintain his progress throughout the campaign.

“He’s been brilliant thus far for us, he’s been a good signing for us,” said Gabriel.

“He’s shown his worth; he’s shown his value. He’s shown his quality that he’s capable of performing at this level.

“And what a better way to repay us with goals. He’s scoring week in and week out. So we just need to continue to work with him, polish up the areas that we feel that he could improve on.

“And it can be a 10 to 12 goal season for him this season.”

Xulu’s two-goal display against Kaizer Chiefs came as Richards Bay secured a point in an entertaining league fixture. The result and the forward’s performance underlined the immediate impact he has made since arriving from Milford FC.

His three goals have come in only four starts, giving him a strong platform from which to challenge for a place in the starting line-up on a regular basis. His form has also seen him preferred to Mahala, who played a prominent role in the Richards Bay attack during the previous season.

Gabriel’s prediction reflects the confidence the coach has placed in the new signing. Rather than setting a lower target after Xulu’s promising opening, he believes the striker can continue scoring consistently and reach double figures before the campaign ends.

Richards Bay will now look to help Xulu develop further, with Gabriel saying the club will continue working with him on the areas of his game that can still be improved. For the coach, the goals already arriving from the forward represent the clearest return on the club’s decision to sign him.

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