Even with chairman Jomo Biyela telling the press last week that he would not be firing the coach, there were still murmurs the boss would do the complete opposite a few days later by letting Truter go.

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It’s expected then that the former Moroka Swallows, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United mentor will be in the dugout when Richards Bay travel to Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane to face Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership after the recent FIFA break this month.

The Natal Rich Boys have not had the best of starts to the season, finding themselves in 12^th position on the back of just one win from seven matches – leaving them with a mere five points.

What fueled speculation further was Biyela’s reaction last weekend when Truter failed to beat rookies Magesi FC to book them a ticket in the Carling Knockout final to play Mamelodi Sundowns on 23 November.

The chairman made his way from the VIP suites to the bench and was captured on camera visibly irritated with the result.

However, when confronted about the incident, Biyela played it down.

“Football is an emotional sport, you react in whatever way you react at that point or particular moment – there’s no bad blood between myself and the coach – he is still part of the team,” the chairman explained.

“I’ve seen what you guys are saying about him being fired. I can tell you he is part of the team. Obviously, we will try to find ways of improving in areas where we feel we are not doing well. But we are not in the business of chopping and changing. It’s better to work with someone you know and help him where needed. A new coach will come here and ask for time and new players.”

Truter has been tasked with aiming for a top four finish, a mandate his predecessor Vusumuzi Vilakazi found too ambitious.

“I never let him go, he resigned. He has his own life at AmaZulu…right now Brandon Truter is the coach of Richards Bay and I will support him up to a point where I feel that he can’t do anything to improve,” added Biyela.

CHRISTINAH-KUTUMELA

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