Richards Bay FC owner and chairman Sifiso “Jomo” Biyela has denied offering ex-Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena the head coach position at Richards Bay, following his exit from Masandawana.
Mokwena had previously claimed on Metro FM that he turned down a lucrative offer from the Natal Rich Boyz due to his unwillingness to compete against Sundowns. However, in a heated interview with Biyela denies such.
“I never had a conversation with Rulani Mokwena, if he had a conversation (about joining Richards Bay) it was with someone else and not me,” Biyela said.
He must tell you, he never had a conversation with me in terms of a contract.”
Biyela maintained that he was satisfied with Vilakazi’s performance as head coach and had no reason to pursue Mokwena.
Since then, the Natal Rich Boyz and Vilakazi have since parted ways, with the coach citing unrealistic expectations, including achieving eight points from every five games, as the reason for his departure.
“We had a contract that both of us had signed with the chairman, I think three or four weeks ago, he signed, and I signed, and Mike (Makaab) is my representative and Mike was there as well,” Vilakazi told Ncube.
“I think three or four days ago there was another contract that the club said I must sign. When I looked at the contract, it was the same contract as the one I had signed, but it was now amended.
“There was a performance clause that was introduced (in the second contract). I think also the contract was one year, which is twelve months, but this one had an option.
“There was also a (clause) that if we find ourselves terminating, how much they will give me or how many months,” Vilakazi said.
“The bottom line is that was another contract and I refused to sign that contract because initially we had a contract that was signed between the two of us.”
While Vilakazi said the eight points from five games were reachable, he felt the club was not being realistic with their ambitions.
“But the problem is that when you are putting such a clause, you need to be realistic as well,” Vilakazi said.
“I’m making an example to you now, I’m playing Chiefs, Sundowns, Pirates, Stellenbosch and SuperSport, then we have to look at the fixture and be realistic in saying here we can get three points, maybe here a draw.”