Richards Bay FC co-coach Vasili Manousakis has disclosed the mandate given to the technical team by the club’s management this season.
Manousakis was roped in to steer the club along with Pitso Dladla when the season began.
Under their leadership, the Natal Rich Boyz have emerged as a surprise package in their maiden season in the DStv Premiership, finishing the first round within the top three in the table.
Some have even gone as far as considering them as a potential threat to the log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who’re chasing their sixth straight league title.
However, on Friday, the Brazilians overcame the top-flight rookies 2-0 to move 10 points clear at the top of the table.
Manousakis says their mandate is to save the club’s status and “nothing else”.
MANOUSAKIS REVEALS RICHARDS BAY COACHES’ MANDATE
“We’re running our own race, we’re trying to get to 35 points as quickly as possible,” he said.
“That’s it, there’s no other secret. We want to save the status of the club. That is the mandate from the chairman, nothing else.
“Once we tick off that first goal. Then we can say, where are we? How many games are left?
“Little bit of pressure off us, because historically, the last four years, the last four seasons, 29 points get you to 14th.
“That means you don’t play the Play-Offs. That sorts us out, but I don’t think it’s gonna be 29 points this season because it’s tight over there.
“You win one, you jump from 14th to 8th…whatever it may be. So we’re thinking of around the 35 mark.
“And we were hoping to get close to that today, but it didn’t happen. We will try again next week.”
Richards Bay currently occupy the third position in the standings after collecting 26 points from 15 games.
They have won seven matches, drawn five, and lost three.
The KwaZulu-Natal side will be looking to make amends for the previous game when they visit Marumo Gallants in their next league outing.
The match will take place next Saturday, 14 January, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
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