Papi Zothwane hails Stellies win, issues warning to Pirates

The result lifts the Natal Rich Boyz up to 11th on the standings and ends a difficult run that included defeats to Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu and Durban City.

The KZN side’s strong record at home continues to stand out, with just two defeats in eleven matches, and Zothwane expressed satisfaction at securing another important result in front of their supporters.

"To play at home, we were playing for our supporters and my players did that exceptionally well and in terms of the overall performance, I think our team did exceptionally well," Zothwane said.

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Zothwane also reflected on the officiating, noting that a few calls during the match left his technical team frustrated.

Despite that, he stressed that his players must remain focused on taking their chances, as doing so reduces the influence of contentious decisions on the final result.

"Sometimes it's a bit disturbing but sometimes officials make decisions based on what they see. We feel that he should have decided somehow but at the end of the day they are the rulers of the game, they make decisions and the decision is final,” the coach added. 

“Even in the second half the opposition felt that there were decisions that were given to us [favoured], so it happens, it's part of the game. We need to take our chances so that if decisions are given, we don't have to worry."

Richards Bay will next host Orlando Pirates in another league assignment, with the Buccaneers currently pushing for the title alongside Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Zothwane expects a high-intensity contest.

The sides last met at Orlando Amstel Arena on 11 March, where Pirates claimed a 2-0 victory, but the Natal Rich Boyz mentor has cautioned that Umhlathuze is a difficult venue and insists his side will not make it easy for their visitors.

"Gonna be a difficult game as you know that chasing for the league, every time we play top teams they think it's easy to beat us so they must not come here and think they are going to win the match. It's gonna be a tough game and we'll be ready for the match."