Richards Bay coach Pantev relies on Xulu to maintain scoring form

Richards Bay coach Dimitar Pantev says the club will be hoping striker Nqaba Xulu can avoid injury and continue his impressive run in front of goal.

The 23-year-old is Richards Bay’s leading scorer in the league with five goals and is joint second in the league’s scoring charts alongside Orlando Pirates forward Tshepang Moremi. AmaZulu’s Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya leads the standings with nine goals.

Xulu added to his season’s total in all competitions when he scored Richards Bay’s only goal in their 3-1 defeat by Sekhukhune United in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout Cup in Polokwane last Sunday.

The forward has also been included in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for this month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.

Pantev, speaking after the Natal Rich Boys were knocked out of the league cup, praised Xulu’s finishing ability and stressed how important it was for the striker to remain fit.

“I already talked about this guy,” said Pantev.

“And I’m very happy first of his attitude and his ambition, and he has really high quality. And if he continues like that, I think that his future is moving too good. He can play on the higher stage.

“He’s a very clinical top goal scorer, and you see that he scores most of these chances in front of him. So, this is big benefit for us because even if you have few chances, if he is there, if he is in position, he will score.

“So, I cross fingers for him to be to be fit without injuries and to continue like that.”