Richards Bay coach Brandon Truter has once again challenged his players to show more desire to turn around the club’s form following another defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.
The Natal Rich Boyz dropped to 14th spot on the Premiership standings as they went down to an Amakhosi outfit that played nearly an entire half with 10 men in Polokwane on Wednesday, after Reeve Frosler was sent off in the 48th minute.
That loss was the third in a row in all competitions, and the club’s sixth in the 11 matches they’ve played in the 2024/2025 campaign.
Truter’s seat as the leader of the technical team has been in danger in recent weeks, but he has apparently been handed a lifeline after the international break, having been reportedly shown the door after the side’s exit from the Carling Knockout Cup.
It was during that semi-final loss that the former AmaZulu mentor expressed great worry about his side’s mentality, a concern he has seemingly carried over into recent weeks.
Having gone a goal down in the first half against Chiefs, Richards Bay were handed a chance into the game when defender Frosler received a second yellow in the 48th minute.
However, Truter’s men could not capitalise, but instead went on to concede a second goal, before Yanela Mbuthuma scored a consolation late on in the match.
Speaking to the media after the game, Truter questioned his team’s determination to win games, as well as turn their fortunes around, with the halfway stage of the season fast approaching.
“Some decisions were baffling tonight, especially with time on the ball. With the man down Chiefs gave to us, we kicked it away: we rushed things, and our composure was let down,” Truter said.
“These are moments where it comes down to IQ, to awareness, and it comes down to quality. And that’s where I think we lacked tonight, and I feel a bit let down and disappointed.”
He further added: “We are not a bad team at all, but I think it’s more mental, in terms of the mental toughness, in terms of where we find ourselves and the will to win.
“We were so cautious and reluctant to attack Chiefs tonight, and we sat back hoping for a counter.
“Once you play like that, the fear of losing is greater than the one to win – and that’s what we’re lacking at the moment.”
The road doesn’t get easier for Richards Bay, with their psychological fortitude to be tested again with a KwaZulu Natal derby against AmaZulu tomorrow at the King Zwelithini Stadium (3.30pm kick-off).
𝗪𝗼𝘇𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗼!! There are plenty of prizes up for grabs!
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) November 28, 2024
📍Kwamnyandu Shopping Centre,UMlazi
📅 29 November 2024
⏰️ 13h00 to 15h00 #PhakweGas #AquelleViv #KZNDerbyWeekend#NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/uIP60BDUS9
The Natal Rich Boyz will be expected to summon their historical prowess ahead of their battle against Usuthu to gear them up with motivation.
The club have never lost to AmaZulu in their history, having battled them four times before in the top-flight – a record Truter will be eager to protect against his former employers.