Jomo Biyela explains surprise coaching decision at Richards Bay

The Natal Rich Boys are set to announce Brandon Truter as his replacement having had to fill the void before their opening Betway Premiership fixture against TS Galaxy on 15 September at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Speaking to Andile Ncube on Metro FM to explain the developments, Biyela claimed Vilakazi would still be in charge had he brought up his concerns.

"We never fired him, he took a decision to leave the club which I think we always cherish that he was part of us when we were trying to survive relegation. He also played his role obviously together with other coaches who are part of the club,” Biyela said.

“In terms of the contract because I want to clarify the issue of the contract, some of the things that are being said here like maybe we should have done this, we should have looked at the club, I think that if we worked together and we still talk to each other, those are the things that should have been raised internally because some of the things, I'm hearing it for the first time here on the radio.

“Like the issue of getting 48 points was not possible and all those things. I don't have a problem with that but I want to believe that if we work together like I thought that we were working together because we were working very well with coach Kanu.

“He knows my doors were always open, he'll phone me anytime. I personally believe that he should have raised those things internally for us to be able to get solutions." 

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Vilakazi, who was able to save Richards Bay from being relegated in June, had earlier confirmed signing a new contract only to refuse the one proposed later with several changes and specific requirements.

"We had a contract that we signed with the chairman three or four weeks ago, he signed, I signed then Mike [Makaab] is my representative so Mike was there as well. So, I think three or four days ago there was another contract that the club said I must sign, so when I looked at the contract, it's the same contract, the one I [had] signed but it was amended, there was a performance clause that was introduced there,” Vilakazi said.

“I think the [first] contract was one year, which is 12 months but then this one had an option. There was also a [clause], if we find ourselves terminating as to how much they will give me or how many months, can I not be specific on that one.

“So, the bottom line is that, the was another contract, so I refused to sign that contract because initially we had a contract that was signed between the two of us."