Richards Bay coach Vusi Vilakazi was unfazed by Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp’s comments, where Middendorp expressed hope that Kaizer Chiefs would defeat Richards Bay.

Vilakazi’s team secured a crucial 1-0 victory on Sunday at King Zwelithini Stadium thanks to Simphiwe Mcineka’s powerful second-half header. This win puts Richards Bay eight points clear of last-placed Spurs with only six games remaining in the season.

This victory marks Richards Bay’s second consecutive win, finding good form at a crucial juncture of the season. They now sit six points behind 14th-placed Moroka Swallows, who displayed fighting spirit in their 2-2 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on Monday.

“It was his (Middendorp’s) wish, but I wouldn’t take it personal,” said Vilakazi after the game, who appears to have a knack of beating Chiefs. 

“Because obviously he lost the game (Sekhukhune United on Saturday) and he will rely on Chiefs beating us, so that he’s having hopes of we can get these people. 

“So, unfortunately, it was a dream that didn’t come true. But nonetheless, we are happy because we knew that Chiefs would come to us. I think in the first half we struggled a bit in our offensive play, but we wanted to contain them and make sure that we didn’t concede a goal and then we stood a chance of getting something.  

“Whether it was set play, through the game, we knew that if we keep them at 0-0 at half time, in the second half, we will come with a different strategy which worked.”  

Vilakazi, also known as “Kanu,” praised midfielder Ntsako Makhubela for his pivotal role in the victory.

“I also need to highlight a performance of Ntsako Makhubela. He was top class today and as a team we were waiting for those moments from him,” he said. 

“But obviously we were not putting him under pressure, but he raised his hands today. The reason we came on board today we wanted him to help the team and he did it.”  

Richards Bay’s next match is another crucial six-pointer against Cape Town Spurs at Athlone Stadium on Friday (19:30).