Richards Bay head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi recently returned to the club’s camp after attaining his CAF B Licence. Photo: BackpagePix
Richards Bay owner Jomo Biyela has set the record straight regarding the future of head coach Vusumuzi “Kanu” Vilakazi ahead of the new season.
The Natal Rich Boyz are currently hard at work assembling and sharpening their squad and technical team, with the 2024/2025 campaign kicking off in just under a month.
After they survived relegation via the Premier Soccer League play-offs, the club handed Vilakazi a new contract that will see him take charge next season.
However, questions regarding his position were soon raised as the CEO of the club’s new sponsor, Phakwe Gas, Thabiso Tenyane, stated recently: “The next surprise would be that of the coach.”
It remained a mystery which position the ‘new coach’ would take up.
Biyela has since clarified the situation while speaking to Independent Newspapers exclusively yesterday, and stated that the club has no intention of removing Vilakazi from his post.
“The reality is coach Kanu came in during a tough period for the club and helped us survive via the play-offs. He’s signed a contract for a year, with an option to extend,” Biyela said.
“The sponsorship will help beef up the technical team with positions like a performance analyst, etc, ahead of the new season, and that entire team will be led by Vilakazi as the head coach.”
🎥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝙆𝙕𝙉 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝘾𝙪𝙥 ✅️#NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/cRi7KwnPzi
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) July 16, 2024
Initial assumptions that Tenyane would make contributions to the operational environment of the club were put to rest as Biyela stated that Phakwe Gas would only play its role as a sponsor.
“He is a sponsor, but at the same time, if you look at the amount he’s put in, it’s R20 million a season,” he said.
“He also wants to assist the club in getting a training facility and will also assist with his project in the area of Richards Bay in partnership with the club – and that’s as far as his contribution goes.”
Vilakazi recently returned to the club’s camp to spearhead their pre-season preparations after a successful trip to Johannesburg to attain his CAF B Licence.
Congratulations to our Head Coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi who has completed his CAF B Coaching License Diploma. 👏#NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/CJBicx3JMZ
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) July 15, 2024
The 41-year-old tactician was present at the launch of the KZN Premier’s Cup this week, and reiterated that the only directive he has received is that of the chairman – and maintains that relationship as his source of information regarding his future.
“I’m not going to comment about the sponsors because I don’t know the sponsors ... I know the chairman,” he said.
“Sponsors are not on my level – that’s the level of the chairman – so I only talk to the chairman who hired me to coach the team, who trusted me. So, that’s the person I have direct contact with.”
The Natal Rich Boyz will return to local screens next weekend when they showcase their potential in the KZN Premier’s Cup.
The club will battle Maritzburg United in the semi-final stage of the annual pre-season tournament.
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