Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel is embracing the underdog role ahead of his team’s MTN8 quarter-final clash with Mamelodi Sundowns, stating that the Natal Rich Boyz are feeling “no pressure” as they prepare for the monumental task.
The match is set to take place at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
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A Chance to Compete and Prepare
Richards Bay secured their spot in the top-eight competition during the final week of the 2024/25 season, earning them a difficult draw against the league champions.
Gabriel views the match as a valuable opportunity for his team to measure themselves against one of the continent’s best teams, a side that recently competed in the Club World Cup.
“Going into the fixture, there’s not too much pressure on us,” Gabriel told FARPost. “We want to go and compete but play with a lot of freedom.”
The coach also sees the game as crucial preparation for their upcoming Betway Premiership season opener. He added, “This gives us a chance to be ready for the following week, the league game. If our performance takes us into the next round, we’ll be very, very happy about it.”
“This will give us a chance to gauge ourselves against one of the best teams in Africa. And we saw in the Club World Cup, Sundowns can punch against the big teams in the world as well.”
Sundowns Seek to Reclaim the Title
Mamelodi Sundowns, who last won the MTN8 trophy in the 2021/22 season, will be looking to start their campaign on a high note. The Brazilians are expected to pose a significant challenge for Richards Bay, but Gabriel remains hopeful that his side can deliver a positive result.