“Pirates Loss Shows Betway Premiership’s Unpredictability”
Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel believes Orlando Pirates’ loss to bottom-placed Marumo Gallants highlights the unpredictable nature of the league as teams enter the second round of the season.
Pirates suffered an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Gallants in the Betway Premiership match at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, further losing ground to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sundowns had earlier defeated Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at Lucas Moripe Stadium, extending their lead to 54 points after 20 matches, 18 points ahead of second-placed Pirates, who have four games in hand.
In the relegation battle, Magesi significantly improved their position with a 1-0 home victory over SuperSport United on Saturday, moving within one point of 14th-placed Richards Bay, who drew with Chippa United at King Zwelithini Stadium.
“The league is balanced,” said Gabriel, whose side is now unbeaten in five matches and has accumulated 18 points from 19 games. “The Marumo game proves that. If Marumo can beat Pirates on Saturday, and two weeks ago, Polokwane City was third on the log and we beat them 2-0 here, then it is balanced.”
Richards Bay will now host third-placed Sekhukhune United at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday. “We will prepare well for that game, and we have a chance to win,” Gabriel assured.
Gabriel will be boosted by the return of star striker Yanela Mbuthuma, who missed the last three matches due to a second red card suspension. He watched from the stands as Bay drew with Chippa, along with Tshepo Mabua and the injured Somila Ntsundwana.
Gabriel is eager to have Mbuthuma, the club’s top scorer, back in the lineup. “Mbuthuma has been good for us from the beginning of the season,” Gabriel acknowledged. “Maybe he could have added a different dimension to our game (on Saturday) because of his energy up front to close down the opposition. Possibly, he could have scored in those situations.
“We needed a striker who can poach a goal under those circumstances. So, we are happy he is coming back for the next game, and I’m sure he will add value.”
