Gabriel Hails Gumede’s Brilliance But Still Wants More

Richards Bay co-coach Ronnie Gabriel has lauded Thulani Gumede for his outstanding performance against Cape Town City in their Betway Premiership match on Friday.

Gumede, who was impressive throughout the game, scored the decisive goal for the home side, curling a shot from the edge of the box past Darren Keet in the second half. This strike secured a victory that ended Richards Bay’s two-game losing streak.

Unsurprisingly, Gumede was awarded the Man of the Match accolade for Bay, who climbed to 11th position in the Betway Premiership table with 27 points after 25 matches.

“Thulani Gumede has had an outstanding performance for the longer part of the season,” said Gabriel to Sportswire after the game. 

“He is having a fantastic season. It just that he has to convert his performances into goal scoring games.  

“So, today [ Friday] he managed to get one goal and hopefully going forward he can build on it and get better. But in terms of doing the job as a winger and how we want him to perform, executing his duties, he is excelling. 

“He is complementing the team very well, both on the offensive player and defensive phase. He is got the energy to go out and down and give us that extra impetus when we are on the transitions. 

“As you saw today [Friday], we were defending and we got on the transition, he got behind the back four and beautifully executed goal.  

“I think, under pressure, without scoring for few games, he came back, and he scored today [Friday] and showed what he is capable of. 

“Long may it continue.”   

Meanwhile, City’s struggles continued, as they are now without a win in 13 matches across all competitions since defeating Bay at home in January.

This poor run of form has led to significant coaching changes at City, with Diogo Peral being the third coach appointed this season. Eric Tinkler departed in December, and Muhsin Ertugral was also dismissed in March after managing 14 matches with three wins, three draws, and eight losses.

Peral, who previously served as assistant coach under both sacked managers, has overseen three matches, losing two and drawing the other.

The Cape Town club currently sits in 14th position in the Betway Premiership table with just 24 points after 26 matches. Their situation is further compounded by the fact that they have played three more games than 15th-placed SuperSport United, who are on 23 points.

Peral has admitted that his players are suffering from a mental block due to their prolonged winless streak.

“To be honest with you, we didn’t really focus too much on Cape Town City’s league position or what they have achieved so far this season,” said Gabriel.

“We were more interested in winning this game at all costs. We went all out, we prepared very well, we did whatever it takes to get three points. 

“We are also in the precarious position on the log. For us, we were in the same situation as them coming to the game and we had to be the team that is wanting it more because this part of the season where we all know that the team that wants it more, the team that grinds more, the team that covers more distances, it is a team that ends up winning the games.”

Interestingly, all seven of Bay’s wins this season have been within the KwaZulu-Natal province, with their only away victory coming against Golden Arrows in Hammersdale, which is located in KZN.