Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel doing his post match interview in a Betway Premiership match
Image: Richards Bay
The relegation battle in the Betway Premiership has reached new heights, with Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel warning that many teams face a genuine threat of dropping to the lower tier this season.
Speaking after his side’s 0-0 draw with Chippa United at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, Gabriel expressed concern over the precarious position many clubs find themselves in. Just five points separate ninth-placed Chippa with 15th-placed Magesi at this stage of the season.
The result against the Chilli Boys, although frustrating for Richards Bay, extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches. However, it was a day of mixed fortunes as their relegation rivals were making significant strides.
Marumo Gallants pulled off a shocking 2-0 win over title contenders Orlando Pirates, pushing Richards Bay down to 14th place in the standings. Meanwhile, Magesi’s surprise victory over SuperSport United saw them climb to just one point behind Richards Bay, further intensifying the relegation race.
Gabriel, who has been at the helm of Richards Bay during this crucial phase of the season, emphasized the unpredictable nature of the league. He pointed to Gallants' stunning victory over Orlando Pirates as evidence of how quickly things can change.
“This league is balanced, and the Marumo game will tell you that,” Gabriel remarked.
“If Marumo can beat Pirates today, and two weeks ago, Polokwane City was third on the log and we beat them 2-0, it shows just how balanced this league is. If you prepare well, you have a chance of winning.”
With about 10 games remaining in the season, Gabriel believes that the teams at the bottom of the table have realized the importance of picking up points now before it’s too late. He highlighted that the survival stakes are incredibly high, and every point will count as the season approaches its conclusion.
“I believe there will be twists and turns,” he added.
“The teams at the bottom have woken up, and they’ve decided that now is the moment to move out of here. If you don’t do it now, you’re going to be stuck there at the end of the season.”
Gabriel also noted the potential for quick movement in the standings. A couple of wins could catapult teams out of danger and into the upper half of the table, giving them a much-needed cushion.
“If you look at the log, two wins put you in the top eight,” he said.
“If we had won today, we would’ve jumped SuperSport United into 11th, and the next win takes us into the top eight. So, it's positive times, but we need to continue with consistent performances. That's the key.”
For Richards Bay, the road to safety will require consistency and focus. They will hope to return to winning ways when they tackle Sekhukhune United in midweek.
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