sportskeeda
Ronnie Gabriel, co-coach of Richards Bay, has conveyed a strong message to his players, urging them to avoid excessive celebrations during the holiday season and to keep the team’s interests, which secure their incomes, at the forefront.
As they gear up for an important match against league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on 28 December, Gabriel emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and discipline.
The KwaZulu-Natal squad is riding high after their recent 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows last weekend, which lifted them off the bottom of the Betway Premiership table and significantly boosted their morale.
Gabriel acknowledged the challenges of balancing holiday festivities with professional obligations: “Interestingly, we’ve already tackled this topic in our team discussions,” he noted.
“We had a candid and open conversation with the players. We aren’t in a privileged position that allows the players to fully enjoy the holiday season; they realize the need to prioritize the club and make certain sacrifices during this time for the club’s sake.
“We are unified in our objectives, collaborating towards a common goal, and I hope this leads to positive outcomes.”
The coach also mentioned the tactical changes implemented since he took over from Brandon Truter: “Our focus has been on confrontation – we aim to press high within the middle block,” he elaborated.
“We aim to regain possession higher up the pitch, as demonstrated in our recent match against SuperSport United. Our goal is to be proactive and assertive in both attacking and defensive phases of play.
“The younger players have shown that they can compete at this level. By building their confidence and preparing them thoroughly each week, we can secure favorable results.”
