Richards Bay FC have officially ended weeks of speculation by appointing Ronnie Gabriel as their standalone head coach for the upcoming 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.
Moving away from the co-coaching model utilized over the past two seasons, the club confirmed on Monday that Gabriel has signed a deal for the new season with an option to extend. He will be structurally supported by assistant coach Siboniso Gumede.
A Familiar Face Steps into the Spotlight
While this marks Gabriel’s first appointment as a top-flight head coach, he is deeply embedded in the culture of the Natal Rich Boyz:
- The Promotional Foundation: Gabriel was the trusted assistant to Pitso Dladla when Richards Bay FC secured their historic promotion to the Betway Premiership at the end of the 2021/22 season.
- A Wealth of Experience: He has served as a key tactical assistant under a long line of prominent tacticians at the club, including Vusumuzi Vilakazi, Kaitano Tembo, and Brandon Truter.
- Proven Top-Flight Success: As part of the recent coaching trio alongside Siboniso Gumede and the departing Papi Zothwane (who has moved to Sekhukhune United), Gabriel helped guide the club to a historic top-eight finish in the 2024/25 season, followed by an 11th-place finish last term.
Squad Reshaping Underway
With Gabriel taking full responsibility for the technical dugout, the club’s roster transition is already in full swing. Following the high-profile exit of Sbangani Zulu to Orlando Pirates, the club has swiftly bolstered its defensive line by signing central defender Thamsanqa Ndelu (Mkhambathi) and left-back Siphamandla Gwele (Ravens FC).
