Former Pirates Defender Joins Bay After AmaZulu Exit
Sportswire has been informed that Thembela Sikhakhane has found a new home at Richards Bay FC.
Sikhakhane has been without a club since leaving AmaZulu at the end of last season.
This will be the third club the defender has represented in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, having started his professional career at Golden Arrows, where he made 63 appearances before earning a move to Orlando Pirates.
“Sikhakhane is a player I have followed closely since his time at Golden Arrows,” Richards Bay chairman Sifoso Biyela told Sportswire.
“I continued to monitor him during his spell at Orlando Pirates and later during his loan move to AmaZulu.
“He has been training with us for the past two weeks, and his dedication during that period has been clear to see.”
The 32-year-old endured an injury-hit campaign last season, managing just nine appearances, and his departure from Usuthu did not come as a surprise.
The Ulundi-born defender joined AmaZulu on a permanent deal in 2020 after leaving the Soweto giants, following a successful loan spell the previous season.
Sikhakhane was among a host of players unveiled by AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu ahead of the 2020/21 season at the Hilton Hotel in Durban, shortly after the Durban businessman completed his takeover of the club from the Sokhela family on 2 October 2020.
Other signings at the time included Siphiwe Tshabalala, Augustine Mulenga (now back for a second stint), Xola Mlambo, Makhehleni Makhaula, Limbikani Mzava, Luvuyo Memela, Veli Mothwa, Phakamani Mahlambi, Siphelele Mthembu and Samkelo Mgwazela, with Thabo Qalinge and Zukile Kewuti joining during the January 2021 transfer window.
By the time Qalinge and Kewuti arrived, Benni McCarthy had already taken charge in December 2020. The former Bafana Bafana striker guided Usuthu to a second-place finish in the Betway Premiership that season — the club’s highest-ever finish in the PSL.
Sikhakhane played a key role during that campaign, featuring in 25 matches across all competitions.
He now joins the Natal Rich Boys, who lie 17th on the Betway Premiership table after 14 matches.
Richards Bay will resume their second-half campaign against Siwelele at Richards Bay Stadium on Friday.
