Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel has commented on reports linking the club’s striker Yanela Mbuthuma with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
According to the reports, both clubs made enquiries about the player following his impressive campaign with the Natal Rich Boyz.
This was his second season in the top-flight football having signed with the KwaZulu-Natal side at the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign.
The 23-year-old South Africa junior international is ranked amongst the finest prospects in the Premier Soccer League and played an integral role in the club not only retaining their status, but all but mathematically secure a top eight finish.
Mbuthuma has also, a couple of times, made preliminary Bafana Bafana squads even though he’s yet to be in the final team.
Gabriel said as far as he knows, Mbuthuma will remain with the club next season. The club was said to be preparing to secure his future on a long-term deal.
GABRIEL SAYS MBUTHUMA WILL REMAIN WITH RICHARDS BAY
“Mbuthuma has been fantastic this season, he’s shown a lot of promise, in the upcoming season we believe he will be much, much better,” said Gabriel as per iDiski Times.
“As far as we know he will be a Richards Bay player [next season]. The player is doing well with us, doing fantastic, performing well on a weekly basis, we’re happy with his performance, he been standout performer this season.”
Mbuthuma was on target in the final game of the season, scoring as the Natal Rich Boyz secured a crucial 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium this past weekend.
This latest strike brings his tally to 10 goals alongside eight assists in 82 appearancesfor the club since his promotion from the DStv Diski Challenge squad.
