Vusumuzi Vilakazi will be looking to further his ambitions when he takes Richards Bay to the Peter Mokaba Stadium for a DStv Premiership clash with Sekhukhune United on Saturday, February 17.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM:
Vilakazi oversaw a surprise 3-1 victory over SuperSport United on December 30 after being handed the reins on a temporary basis following the Natal Rich Boyz's decision to sack Kaitano Tembo as their head coach five days earlier.
Tembo had endured a difficult tenure at the KZN club which ended with back-to-back defeats against Royal AM (3-2) and Kaizer Chiefs (1-0) as he picked up just two wins from 15 matches at the helm.
Vilakazi's side went into the Africa Cup of Nations break five points adrift of safety in 15th place, although they have a comfortable nine-point cushion to rock-bottom Cape Town Spurs.
Babina Noko concluded the calendar year with a 1-1 draw against Chiefs on December 30 as they too struggled for results after winning just two of their last five games in 2023.
Lehlohonolo Seema was only recently appointed as Brandon Truter's successor and will be looking to get the club back into the top eight, where they are currently four points away in 12th position.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Vilakazi harbours hopes of getting the job on a permanent basis and wants to prove to the club's hierarchy that he is the right man to take Richards Bay forward in the weeks to come.
"I will take it. I am working for myself [to be considered]. I have ambitions, it's not an opportunity that I can turn down," Vilakazi said.
"Why would there be a reason not to take it? But again it's not a position that I will point people with guns to be appointed as a head coach. No, it's management that will decide if I remain interim or become head coach one day or not."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sekhukhune United - Teboho Letsema could make his debut for Seema's side after joining them from Lesotho Premier League outfit Linare last month. The 21-year-old winger caught the eye during a friendly with Bafana Bafana prior to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after earning his first cap for Lesotho four months earlier.
Richards Bay - Sanele Barns has attracted interest from numerous PSL clubs after impressing for Richards Bay during the opening five months of the 2023-24 campaign. Cape Town City chairman John Comitis made an approach for the 26-year-old winger during the January transfer window, but was priced out of a move.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Previous DStv Premiership meetings)
Matches - 3
Sekhukhune wins - 1
Richards Bay wins - 1
Draws - 1