Richards Bay FC coach defiant ahead of Sundowns MTN8 clash

Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel has issued a defiant statement ahead of their highly anticipated MTN8 quarter-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The two sides are set to face off on Sunday, August 3rd, at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, in what will be the final quarter-final match of the weekend.

Sundowns, who last lifted the MTN8 trophy in the 2021/22 season, will be looking to reignite their dominance in the competition. However, the Natal Rich Boyz are embracing their role as clear underdogs, determined to upset the formidable Brazilians.

Going into the fixture, Gabriel insists there’s no pressure on his side, emphasising that his team has “nothing to lose.”

“With MTN8, we know that it’s number one versus number eight, so we got Sundowns, they finished first in the league, and we’re number eight,” Gabriel stated. “So, going into the fixture, there’s not too much pressure on us. We want to go and compete, but play with a lot of freedom.”

The coach views the match as a crucial test and preparation for their upcoming league campaign. “This gives us a chance to be ready for the following week, the league game. If our performance takes us into the next round, we’ll be very, very happy about it.”

He added that facing Sundowns will provide an invaluable opportunity for his squad. “This will give us a chance to gauge ourselves against one of the best teams in Africa. And we saw in the FIFA Club World Cup, Sundowns can punch against the big teams in the world as well.”

Natal Rich Boyz Aiming for Upset Against Sundowns

Gabriel believes challenging Sundowns will serve as a vital benchmark for his team’s standing. He made it clear that Richards Bay FC intends to go all out and cause a significant upset against the Tshwane giants.

“So, it will give our group a chance to see how far we are and test ourselves and give us a chance to compete at that level,” Gabriel continued. “So, we’re happy about that opportunity to be in the top eight.”

Reflecting on their journey, Gabriel highlighted the team’s resilience last season. “We know how we started last season. We were right at the bottom of the table, in 15th and 16th places. But we clawed our way back and ended up in the top eight on the last day of the season. So it was beyond our wildest expectations when we were at the bottom of the league table. And now we just have to go there and cause upset against Sundowns.”