‘They’re not in football’: Richards Bay boss on sponsor Phakwe Gas

Richards Bay FC chairman Sfiso ‘Jomo’ Biyela has given details about the scope of involvement of the club’s new sponsor, Phakwe Gas.

Phakwe injected R100 million into the club’s coffers a few weeks ago, securing a three-year deal with the KZN side ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Announcing the new partnership, Phakwe Gas executive chairman and CEO Thabiso Tenyane stated their intention to be an “active sponsor”. He further revealed that there would be significant changes at the club, including technical restructuring.

This left questions about the decision-making hierarchy within the Natal Rich Boyz. Biyela feels “undermined” by the widespread belief that Phakwe Gas has significantly impacted the management of the Betway Premiership club.

He insists on being solely in charge of making the club’s decisions, including the appointment of coaches.

JOMO BIYELA SAYS HE IS SOLELY IN CHARGE IN MAKING CLUB’S DECISIONS

“I think even after the sponsors said that, let’s clarify that there’s nothing that the sponsors do, they don’t take part in the club’s operations,” said Biyela in an interview with UKhozi FM [translated from IsiZulu].

“They don’t know coach Kanu, they have never even seen him because that’s not their business. The only person they have had meetings with is me as the club’s chairman, and maybe Xolani (Zungu), who’s the Marketing Manager.

“Coach Brandon Truter that we just appointed, they don’t even know him and his name. They’re not in football.

“I think that on its own is to undermine me as the club’s chairman. People look down on me…having been in football for this long, they still think I can’t make decisions. There won’t be any changes in what I say.”

Richards Bay recently reunited with Brandon Truter, who’s now at the helm, after the club parted ways with Vusumuzi Vilakazi at the beginning of this week.