Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel has opened up on defender Sibangani Zulu’s move to Orlando Pirates ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The young centre-back was one of the first signings made by Ezimnyama Ngenkani as they strengthened their squad for head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Zulu had excelled in the colours of the Natal Rich Boyz after joining the club in April last year from Royal AM, who had been expelled from the PSL at the time.
Having also transferred Yanela Mbuthuma and Nkosikhona Ndaba to Pirates last year, Gabriel says Richards Bay provides a good platform for young players to showcase their talent and earn moves to bigger clubs.
He wished Zulu well, saying he had an outstanding campaign at Richards Bay and hopes he will reach even greater heights at Pirates.
“The club itself creates a platform for players to become the best they can,” Gabriel told iDiski Times.
“They’ve got systems in place to develop these youngsters and give them the opportunities to be seen by
the so-called bigger clubs.
“The club is delivering in terms of the blueprint of the league itself, whereby 90% of the players featuring in the PSL team come from our DDC structure.
“So, it tells you that we are in accordance with the PSL blueprint in terms of promoting players from the DDC
structures.
“The coaching is of good levels whereby the players are fitting in easily to the PSL set-up. As for Sbangani Zulu,
he has been outstanding for the season.
“He has done well for the club, and we wish him all the best. We want him to take his football to higher heights in the
Pirates set-up.”
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