Ronnie Gabriel, co-coach of Richards Bay, stresses the urgent need to secure points against Mamelodi Sundowns given their difficult standing in the league.

Richards Bay is set to take on Sundowns in a Betway Premiership match at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday (15:30), as they aim for their second consecutive victory of the season.

The KwaZulu-Natal team currently occupies the second-to-last position, having gathered eight points from 11 matches, only two points ahead of the bottom-placed team, Magesi FC.

Despite a historically unfavorable record against Sundowns in the top flight, Gabriel remains hopeful about his team’s chances of securing a positive result against the league leaders.

“We recognize that Mamelodi Sundowns are a formidable opponent, the leading force in South African football,” Gabriel commented.

“Thorough preparation is crucial; we need to analyze all aspects meticulously. We must capture points in this game, which is a necessity.”

Gabriel, who guided the team to victory over Golden Arrows in their most recent match, expressed his wish for a more regular match schedule to enhance team momentum.

The win against Arrows occurred on December 14, resulting in an extended gap before their subsequent match.

“Ideally, we would favor more frequent matches. The current schedule often leads to congestion at certain times and lengthy breaks at others, which can affect overall performance. This is something we cannot ignore,” he said.

“Nevertheless, we must concentrate on what is ahead and ensure the team is adequately prepared.”