Richards Bay chairman Jomo Biyela emphasised the importance of returning to their home base at Umhlathuze Sports Ground for the club’s long-term success.
The KZN outfit secured their place in the Premiership for another season with a decisive 4-0 victory over Baroka in the DStv Premiership promotion playoffs at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.
The Natal Rich Boyz have faced significant challenges this season, as they were compelled to play their home fixtures in Durban.
Their usual venue in Richards Bay was deemed unsuitable by the league due to issues such as inadequate changing rooms, broken ceiling panels, and faulty toilets.
Biyela highlighted that these logistical hurdles, including the constant need to travel, contributed to the team’s struggles throughout the season and imposed substantial financial burdens.
“We need to go back to Richards Bay, that’s the first thing. As long as we are not playing in Richards Bay, we will always have challenges,” Biyela explained to the media.
“You see, if we come here (King Zwelithini Stadium), how much are we spending? We hire the venue. We come a day before we play. We book accommodation. And we don’t have a sponsor.
“So, what do you expect from us? The only thing which can help us is to play in Richards Bay.”
In light of their recent achievement in retaining their Premiership status, Biyela is advocating for improvements at Umhlathuze Sports Ground, hoping that returning to their true home will bolster the team’s performance and stability in future seasons.