Richards Bay refuse to be title race pawns

As the battle for top spot between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns intensifies, attention has shifted to Richards Bay’s upcoming home clash against the Brazilians on 25 April — a fixture that could have major implications at the summit.

Pirates, who recently dropped points in a 2-2 draw at Umhlathuze, may be hoping Zothwane’s side can slow down Sundowns’ charge. However, the Richards Bay coach has dismissed that narrative, making it clear his team will not be distracted by external expectations.

“We have our own mission. Nobody must come here and expect anything easy,” said Zothwane, as quoted by FarPost.

His confidence is backed by a formidable home record. Richards Bay have turned their base into a difficult hunting ground, losing just once in the league there this season. Even heavyweights have struggled — Pirates were held, while Kaizer Chiefs left empty-handed earlier in the campaign.

That resilience suggests Sundowns will not have it all their own way when they visit later this month, despite their impressive run of 10 consecutive league victories.

Still, Zothwane insists the bigger picture for his side is about pride, consistency and rewarding their supporters rather than influencing the destination of the title.

“It’s always about our supporters. They’ve waited a long time to watch us at home, and we want to give them something every time we play here,” he said.

While Richards Bay could yet emerge as an obstacle in the title race, Zothwane’s stance is clear — any impact they make will be a by-product of their own ambitions, not a favour to those chasing glory.