Home advantage the secret weapon as Richards Bay prepare for Nedbank Cup last 16 against AmaZulu

RICHARDS Bay’s home record this season is the stuff of envy for many teams and as such it is their biggest weapon as they prepare to welcome probably their biggest provincial rivals in AmaZulu FC in the Nedbank Cup last 16.

The match at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex will open the round of 16 on Friday night with kick-off set for 7pm.

Bay will be oozing with confidence ahead of the encounter due to them having only lost league matches at home so far this season.

Bay will be oozing confidence ahead of the encounter, as they have only lost two league matches at home so far this season. Even more than that, what will boost their morale is the fact that the last time AmaZulu visited Umhlathuze in November, they were sent back home with a decisive 2-0 drubbing.

However, Natal Rich Boys coach Papi Zothwane still feels this will be a tough encounter due to AmaZulu’s form.

“It is going to be a very, very difficult game considering the fact that AmaZulu have been doing exceptionally well. That’s why they are where they are in the log table. For us it is going to be very difficult, even though we are playing at home and we have been doing very well at home. It is still going to be a tough game,” Zothwane told the media ahead of the encounter.

Reflecting on how they have managed to turn their home ground into a fortress, Zothwane sadi:

“The team had not been playing at Umhlathuze for the longest time, (since now we’ve returned to the stadium, after renovations) players know that they are not only playing for themselves but for the fans, for the people. That pushes them to give extra effort because they know fans are supporting them.

“So they know that on the day they are playing for fans and that makes them consistent, and so, many teams have been finding it difficult to beat us at home.”