Zothwane Targets Top-Eight Finish After Nedbank Cup Exit

Following Richards Bay’s elimination in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16, co-coach Papi Zothwane has shifted focus to improving on last season’s league performance.

The Natal Rich Boys were edged 1-0 by AmaZulu in an entertaining encounter at Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday.

With their cup campaign over, attention now turns to the Betway Premiership, where Richards Bay are aiming to better last season’s eighth-place finish — the first top-eight achievement in the club’s history.

Bay currently sit 10th on the Betway Premiership table with 19 points from 17 matches.

Last season, they accumulated 33 points from 28 matches, with two fixtures not played after Royal AM were removed from the league.

The club’s owner, Shaun Mkhize, had failed to settle a tax bill before the second half of the season commenced. As a result, all 15 remaining teams completed 28 matches instead of the usual 30.

With no such disruptions expected this season, the campaign is likely to conclude with all 16 teams playing the full 30 matches — giving Richards Bay a realistic opportunity to push for another top-eight finish, with 13 games remaining.

“As a team, you always want to improve on your previous season,” said Zothwane.

“In our previous season, we finished in the top eight, and there is a chance we can achieve that again. We want to improve by conceding fewer goals, scoring more, and collecting more points than we did last season.

“I still believe we have a chance to break into the top eight. That is our ambition.”

The Natal Rich Boys will return to action on 28 February when they travel to face Orbit College in their next league fixture.