Richards Bay Secures Key Players With New Year Contracts
KwaZulu-Natal side Richards Bay has confirmed that six of its players have signed contract extensions for the next five years.
These players are attacker Thulani Gumede, striker Yanela Mbuthuma — who was the standout performer in their 2-0 victory over SuperSport United this past weekend, helping the club secure a top-eight finish for the first time in its history.
Others are Wandile Ngema, midfielders Thabiso Ndelu and Lindokuhle Zikhali, and striker Ntlomelo Bomelo.
Gumede, like Mbuthuma, scored in the 2-0 win against SuperSport. Mbuthuma, who courageously headed in one goal, also flicked the ball into Gumede’s path for the other in the second half, which Gumede finished with aplomb.
This season, Gumede, alongside Mbuthuma, has been one of Richards Bay’s top players, featuring in 28 matches across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Mbuthuma, who was named in coach Hugo Broos’s preliminary Bafana Bafana squad, was the club’s top scorer with five goals in 26 appearances, along with one assist.
In a statement, Richards Bay announced, “Richards Bay Football Club is excited to announce that the following players, namely: Thulani Gumede, Yanela Mbuthuma, Wandile Ngema, Thabisa Ndelu, Lindokuhle ‘Sphuzo’ Zikhali, and Ntlonelo Bomelo, have agreed to sign new, improved contracts with the club.” The club further stated, “These players have signed another five (5) years with the club, with their contracts ending in 2030. The club would like to thank them for their dedication and wish them well.”
However, there was no mention of Nkosikhona Ndaba, who is rumored to have signed with Orlando Pirates.
These extensions come shortly after Richards Bay released a statement a few days ago confirming that Papi Zothwane, Ronnie Gabriel, and Siboniso Gumede will remain as co-coaches with the club next season. The club explicitly stated that they are not looking for a new coach.
Having finished in the top eight for the first time in the club’s history, The Natal Rich Boys will face Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns and CAF Champions League finalists in an away MTN8 quarter-final match next season.
Unfortunately, they have lost all previous matches played against Miguel Cardoso’s side.
