It might be early days, but about 25% of the DStv Premiership marathon has been run, and Richards Bay captain Katleho Maphathe has made a bold admission about the league title chase.
The Natal Rich Boys are in their maiden season in South Africa’s top-flight and have started the new season like a house on fire with four wins in their opening seven league matches.
However, Maphathe, who helped the KZN side gain promotion to the Premiership, has admitted that it’s too early to entertain championship talk, insisting that their mandate is to maintain their top-flight status.
“The mood is great in the camp; as players, we just want to fight for each other to win more games. Honestly, we not interested in winning the league,” the man who lifted the 2021/22 GladAfrica Championship title with Bay told FARPost.
MAPHATHE OUTLINES BAY’s GOALS!!!
“We just want to play in the DStv Premiership next season; for us to be able to achieve that, we need to be consistent.
“It’s too early to even start talking about who stands a chance to win the league because teams are still trying to find combinations.
“The coaches told us to collect points as early as possible because going forward, competition will start being tough,” added Maphathe.
Bay are third on the log standings, level on points with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. The DStv Premiership newcomers beat their KZN rivals Royal AM 1-0 in their last league game at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday.
And 29-year-old centre back, Maphathe has been instrumental for the Pitso Dladla-coached team in the heart of defence this campaign.
He has featured in six league games so far, forming part of the rock-solid backline that has only conceded three goals.
It is worth noting that before the start of the new season, Bay made their intentions of wanting to compete by welcoming seasoned campaigners to their squad.
Among the players who joined the team is Luvuyo Memela, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Abel Mabaso, Nkanyiso Zungu, Indiviwe Mdabuka, Micheal Gumede, Matome Mabeba, Sanele Barns, Siyanda Dlamini, Sbusiso Mthethwa and Thulani Gumede.
The Premiership newbies’ next task is against high-flying TS Galaxy on Sunday 18 September, at King Zwelithini Stadium.
