Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel is under mounting pressure following the club’s poor start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
FARPost understands the Natal Rich Boyz are considering a change in the dugout and have begun sounding out potential replacements after Sunday’s humiliating 5-1 defeat to newly promoted Milford FC.
Richards Bay remains without a victory after six league matches, having drawn three and lost three. They have collected just three points from a possible 18. But it is the manner of their latest defeat that appears to have pushed the club’s hierarchy towards considering a change in the dugout.
BACK-TO-BACK KZN DERBY DEFEATS
Gabriel’s 10-man side were outplayed by Milford, who are competing in the top flight for the first time this season. It was Richards Bay’s second successive KwaZulu-Natal derby defeat, following a 2-1 loss to AmaZulu FC in their previous outing.
The Natal Rich Boyz began the campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Polokwane City FC before fighting back to draw 1-1 with Chippa United. They then surrendered a lead in another 1-1 draw against Durban City FC before holding Kaizer Chiefs to a 2-2 stalemate.
But any encouragement drawn from those performances has quickly faded. Back-to-back derby defeats, particularly the manner of the collapse against Milford, have left Gabriel facing serious questions over his future.
RICHARDS BAY SEARCH FOR A NEW COACH
While Gabriel remains in charge for now, the club is understood to be sounding out potential replacements as it looks to arrest its early-season slide. No final decision has been made, but the search suggests patience is wearing thin at the KwaZulu-Natal club.
Gabriel desperately needs a response from his players when they face Sekhukhune United on Saturday. Another poor result against his former colleague Papi Zothwane’s Babina Noko could bring his tenure to an abrupt end. Last season, together with Zothwane, they guided the Natal Rich Boyz to an 11th-place finish. They are currently 14th, with the same number of points as Siwelele FC, who are 15th after a winless run.
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