Richards Bay co-coach Ronnie Gabriel is hopeful that the January transfer window signings of Mxolisi Macuphu and Mduduzi Mdantsane will solve the team’s goal-scoring struggles.

Mdantsane joins on loan from Kaizer Chiefs, where he has yet to make an appearance this season. Macuphu arrives from Royal AM, having requested a release due to the club’s financial difficulties and the subsequent suspension of their matches.

Both players join a KwaZulu-Natal side that has struggled throughout the season, currently sitting 14th in the Betway Premiership table with 10 points after 15 matches, scoring just five goals having conceded 15.

They have played four more games than 15th-placed Royal AM, who have eight points, and one game more than bottom-placed Magesi, who also have eight points.

“We brought them in to operate in the final third and score goals for us,” Gabriel said. “So, we are happy with these additions to our team. We are confident that they will give us the much-needed impetus going into the second round of the season.”

Both players were in attendance at King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday when Richards Bay were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Magesi.

Reflecting on the match, Gabriel felt his team deserved all three points, as they were the better side. “It was total dominance,” he said. “We controlled the first half, we controlled the second half, we dominated the goal-scoring chances, we dominated possession, we dominated the exchanges, we dominated the duels – but the goals were missing.

“In terms of the performance, we looked dominant. You could see what we were trying to do: trying to penetrate the opposition, trying to score goals. But it wasn’t to be in terms of scoring. We have to continue to work on that aspect of the game; it’s an area where we have to admit we need to improve. Even us as the technical team, we need to be better at preparing these boys to put the ball in the back of the net. It was that kind of encounter for us.”