Gabriel Warns Of ‘Mental Block’ As Richards Bay FC Winless Streak Hits 5 Matches
Richards Bay head coach Ronnie Gabriel has expressed concern that his side’s winless streak could become a mental block, even as the Betway Premiership campaign remains in its infancy.
Gabriel insists a single victory will transform his side’s fortunes, speaking shortly after a 2-1 defeat to provincial rivals AmaZulu on a rain-soaked Friday night at Princess Magogo Stadium.
The Natal Rich Boys remain without a victory after five league fixtures—recording three draws and two losses—to sit 12th on the Betway Premiership standings.
The defeat in KwaMashu proved frustrating for club chairman Sifiso Biyela, who observed the match from the VVIP box. Biyela is set to cast a vote in the upcoming SAFA presidential election on 12 September, choosing between AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu and incumbent Danny Jordaan.
“It becomes psychological if the winless streak goes on,” Gabriel acknowledged post-match.
“But we must also look at the positives. We have put in good performances. Looking at the game against Durban City, we were leading, and we let another lead slip against Kaizer Chiefs last week.
“With those types of performances, we are capable of taking three points. The potential is there for us. Once we get that first victory, I am confident we will find our rhythm and sail smoothly.”
Richards Bay have surrendered leads in two of their last three fixtures (against Durban City and Kaizer Chiefs) before conceding twice against AmaZulu.
Gabriel, who assumed the managerial reins at the start of the season, lamented his side’s defensive vulnerabilities, describing the goals conceded as unacceptable.
“The type of goals that we are conceding at this stage of the season is very uncharacteristic of the Richards Bay team,” he said.
“We should not be conceding those types of goals at this level. You look at us in each and every game this season; we are scoring goals. With the number of goals that we have scored, had it not been for our poor defensive performances, I felt we could have run away with more points, and Friday was a typical derby game out there.
“It was pound for pound, lots of physical confrontations, duels, end-to-end stuff. The opposition had a few chances, we had a few chances, and the game could have gone either way.
“We clawed our way back in the second half from a goal down, but again, we conceded two cheap goals and too soon after equalising.
“I felt that we could have held on for at least a little longer and created a few more scoring chances. We could have stolen three points in this game.”
The Natal Rich will remain in KwaZulu-Natal for their next assignment when they host Milford FC at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on 13 September.
