Richards Bay FC have ended weeks of speculation. The club have confirmed Ronnie Gabriel as the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.
The Natal Rich Boyz announced on Monday that Gabriel has signed a contract for next season with an option to extend his stay. He will be assisted by Siboniso Gumede. The club moves away from the co-coaching structure used over the past two seasons.
RICHARDS BAY FC CONFIRM RONNIE GABRIEL APPOINTMENT
In a statement announcing the appointment, the club said: “Richards Bay Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronnie Gabriel as the club’s Head Coach for the 2026/27 season, with an option to renew.
“He will be assisted by Siboniso Gumede. We wish Coach Gabriel and his technical team every success as they lead the Natal Rich Boyz into the new season.”
The appointment marks Gabriel’s first opportunity to lead a club as head coach in the Betway Premiership. However, he is no stranger to life at Richards Bay FC.
He previously worked as an assistant coach under Pitso Dladla, Vusumuzi Vilakazi, Kaitano Tembo and Brandon Truter. Gabriel also served as Dladla’s assistant when Richards Bay FC won promotion to the Betway Premiership at the end of the 2021/22 season.
ZOTHWANE MOVES ON
Gabriel replaces last season’s co-coach Papi Zothwane. He left Richards Bay FC at the end of the previous campaign to join Sekhukhune United as assistant coach to Cedric Kaze.
Before earning the top job, Gabriel formed part of the coaching trio alongside Zothwane and Siboniso Gumede. The trio guided Richards Bay FC to a historic first-ever top-eight finish in the 2024/25 season. They ended last season in 11th place in the Betway Premiership.
Now entrusted with sole responsibility for the team, Gabriel will be aiming to build on that foundation as the Natal Rich Boyz prepare for another challenging campaign.
The club have already begun reshaping the squad ahead of the new season. Sbangani Zulu completed a move to Orlando Pirates. Richards Bay FC have reinforced their defence with the arrivals of centre-back Thamsanqa Ndelu from Mkhambathi and left-back Siphamandla Gwele from Ravens FC.
