Richards Bay FC have parted ways with another Mamelodi Sundowns loanee Thando Buthelezi, FARPost has learnt.
The 21-year-old was expected to be with the Natal Rich Boyz for the entire 2024/25 season, having joined the club at the start of the season.
The move to KwaZulu-Natal was intended to provide the Sundowns DDC graduate with valuable playing time as he strives to earn a place in the Betway Premiership squad this season.
However, his appearances were limited to four across all competitions, with one Carling Knockout Cup match and three Betway Premiership appearances.
He started two of these matches and came on as a substitute in the other two.
THANDO BUTHELEZI TO LEAVE RICHARDS BAY
This publication has been informed that the player will not be continuing with the Zululand side for the remainder of the season.
Buthelezi becomes the second Sundowns player to terminate a loan spell with Richards Bay this season, following the departure of Thabang Sibanyoni towards the end of 2024.
Sibanyoni featured in a few matches, particularly in the early part of the season, while Brandon Truter was at the helm.
The forward made nine appearances across all competitions without finding the back of the net.
Richards Bay still have another player on loan Sabelo Radebe from Kaizer Chiefs, a midfielder who’s also encountered difficulties in securing regular playing time.
However, he was given some playing time in their recent 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.
When asked about the future of the Chiefs academy graduate, interim coach Ronnie Gabriel expressed hope that Radebe would receive more playing time in the future.
WHAT ABOUT KAIZER CHIEFS’ SABELO RADEBE?
“As yet, we haven’t gone through dynamics of that but today [Saturday] you saw Sabelo, we managed to get him into the pitch in the second half,” said Gabriel.
“He broke his way into the 20 and had some game time today. Hopefully, he can push on from here, work harder and maybe get a starting berth going forward.”
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