Significant changes mooted at Richards Bay, including strengthening the technical team

Shortly after the announcement of the R100 million sponsorship in Richards Bay on Wednesday, Phakwe Group Executive Chairman Thabiso Tenyane revealed that they would seriously advise bringing in a well-experienced and possibly a big-name head coach before the beginning of the new season. In a statement yesterday, the club’s chairman, Jomo Biyela, rallied behind the club’s head coach, Vusumuzi Vilakazi, who recently saved them from relegation. Tenyane has hinted at beefing up the coaching department.

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“The other surprise that is coming - it will be the coach, we are just not an inactive sponsor, we are an active sponsor because our brand needs to be associated with winners, therefore I need to make sure I assist them to be winners,'' said Tenyane.

The financial situation of the club has been significantly strengthened for the next three seasons. With a R2 million monthly grant from the Premier Soccer League and a R5 million off-season preparation fee, Biyela and his board now have a R20 million sponsorship per season from the Phakwe Group. This substantial financial backing, totaling R50 million in a season budget, provides a solid foundation for the Natal Rich Boyz to compete with the big guns in the PSL, according to Tenyane.

''Build facilities that are going to make you compete with others, you see a situation - Chiefs has lot of coaches in different departments, Chiefs have Dieticians, Richards Bay does not. Their fitness needs to be analysed, the facilities needs to analysed, the stadium is not complete maybe we may have to invest in that for a short while. The intention is to build them proper facilities with a stadium. I can tell you that Richards Bay is going to beat Gauteng teams, because we are going to make sure that they have what it takes,'' added Tenyane. 

Interestingly, Tenyane, who is involved in the energy and mining business, revealed that he’d got close ties to global football giants Real Madrid’s President, Florentino Perez. This man introduced the era of Galacticos. Perez is the most successful Real Madrid president and a successful businessman. Tenyane says he will use his proximity to him to raise the profile of Richards Bay FC.

''I am in the energy sector, people know  Florentino Perez as the owner of Real Madrid  - he is my partner in energy for 15 years, so there is a lot I will be flying down to him to learn as to how this thing is being done. The value of soccer in South Africa can not be lower compared to EPL or Laliga, this is the same thing, it is the same sport, there is something we are not doing right that needs to be done right,'' concluded Tenyane.

The club's recent performance is worth noting. They narrowly avoided relegation and breezed through the playoffs after finishing 15th on the log. Their impressive run included seven wins in their last 12 matches, with victories over Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC. Vilakazi's leadership was instrumental in this success. Tenyane revealed that he had already started discussions with the club about his plans towards the end of the season.

The financial injection at the Natal Rich Boyz comes when some PSL teams need commercial support. They are one of the clubs that have always been rumored to be up for sale in a league where the buying and selling of statutes is quickly becoming a norm. Tenyane says this is the era where black businesses, particularly, have to raise their hands and support professional football.