Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel emphasizes smart play against Orlando Pirates
The Natal Rich Boyz are set to face Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout semi-final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 15:00. This marks their third consecutive appearance in the semi-finals, with Gabriel highlighting the importance of making club history by reaching the final for the first time.
“I think it’s a tough one. When you look at Pirates — their attacking play, structure, and the quality of players they have — they are definitely advanced compared to us,” said Gabriel.
“So we’ll have to box clever on the day. We don’t want to open ourselves up too easily. Maybe we’ll keep it a bit cagey and tight, build some confidence as the game goes on, and look to steal it later.”
Gabriel stressed the risk of conceding goals early against such a formidable opponent, emphasizing the need for disciplined play in order to give his side the best chance of progressing.
Interestingly, Richards Bay holds a psychological advantage from their previous meeting in the 2023/24 Carling Cup, where they eliminated Pirates through penalties. However, they did fall to Stellenbosch FC in the subsequent semi-final.
In preparation for this pivotal match, Gabriel is relying on the expertise of assistant coach Papi Zothwane, who was part of the winning coaching team for the Carling Knockout Cup last season. “Yes, having been part of a winning team in the Carling Knockout, Papi knows what it takes to win these types of games,” Gabriel noted.
“He brings a calming influence to the team and the intelligence we need to progress. So far, it has worked majestically well for us, and we hope it continues to do so and takes us to the final.”
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