Rich Boyz do the business in Premier's Cup
The Natal Rich Boyz have some gold to add to their treasure chest after bagging the KZN Premier's Cup trophy at the uMhlathuze Stadium this afternoon.
With no score and extra time on the clock Siyabonga Nzama cleverly won a penalty and ice man Tshepo Mabua calmly sunk it in the left corner to give victory to the NRB outfit.
A good day's work – two wins out of two – told a lot about this season's crop of new players, and it looks extremely promising.
Full marks also to the dedicated fans who braved the cold and rain to see heir heroes get the glory.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
19 hours ago
- IOL News
AmaZulu's pre-season shake-up raises questions ahead of MTN8
AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane and assistant Siboniso Vilakazi have a tough task to keep the club competitive during the opening rounds of the upcoming season. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Bacpagepix AmaZulu's technical team are grappling with growing concerns over a lack of squad depth and experience as they prepare for a testing MTN8 quarter-final showdown against Stellenbosch FC on Sunday. Having finished sixth last season, Usuthu earned a place in the lucrative Top 8 competition — but as the 2025/26 campaign kicks off, head coach Arthur Zwane is still piecing together a squad capable of challenging on all fronts, including the push for CAF qualification. The Durban-based side released a staggering 17 players at the end of last season, triggering a major squad overhaul that has left gaps across key positions. Long-serving figures such as Veli Mothwa, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Mbongeni Gumede, and Rowan Human were among those shown the exit door. With just days to go before their clash against Stellies, only a handful of new faces have been seen in AmaZulu colours, including defender Keagan Allen, goalkeeper Darren Johnson, and striker Ryan Moon — all of whom featured during the KZN Premier's Cup this past weekend. However, more arrivals are expected before the close of the transfer window. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Assistant coach Siboniso Vilakazi admitted that the team is still far from settled and that the loss of experience has been deeply felt during pre-season. 'When you look at the second team against Durban City, it tells you that we don't have depth because it was a completely new team,' said Vilakazi, after their semi-final exit in the KZN Premier's Cup. 'We have players that we are trying to reinforce with who have experience at the highest level and some who are coming back from loans and those from our youth systems.' Vilakazi was encouraged by the performances of some of the younger players but warned that youth alone won't be enough to carry the team through a demanding season. 'So, we are not starting from scratch,' he added. 'But after this tournament, even though we are happy with the performance of the youngsters, we know the depth is not there as yet.' Usuthu's situation is made more urgent by the timing of the MTN8. The clash against a settled and well-drilled Stellenbosch side, who themselves are eyeing silverware this season, will offer a stern test of just how ready Zwane's side really is. The club's recruitment strategy is expected to remain aggressive over the coming weeks, with emphasis on bringing in players who offer leadership and experience, particularly in defence and midfield. For now, Zwane and his staff are walking a tightrope — balancing long-term rebuilding with the short-term pressure of performing in a knockout competition. And as the countdown to Sunday begins, AmaZulu's depth and cohesion will face their first real examination.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Rich Boyz do the business in Premier's Cup
Rich Boyz do the business in Premier's Cup The Natal Rich Boyz have some gold to add to their treasure chest after bagging the KZN Premier's Cup trophy at the uMhlathuze Stadium this afternoon. With no score and extra time on the clock Siyabonga Nzama cleverly won a penalty and ice man Tshepo Mabua calmly sunk it in the left corner to give victory to the NRB outfit. A good day's work – two wins out of two – told a lot about this season's crop of new players, and it looks extremely promising. Full marks also to the dedicated fans who braved the cold and rain to see heir heroes get the glory. HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Richards Bay FC lift KZN Premier's Cup title in homecoming triumph
Wandile Ngema of Richards Bay is challenged by Sibusiso Sibeko of Durban City during the KZN Premiers Cup final at Umhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay on SUnday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Richards Bay FC marked the official reopening of the refurbished Umhlathuze Sports Complex in style, clinching the 2025 KZN Premier's Cup title with a narrow 1-0 win over Durban City in Sunday's final. It was a historic first for the Natal Rich Boyz, who have never lifted the pre-season trophy before and fittingly did so on home soil, signalling their intent ahead of the new Betway Premiership campaign. The two-day tournament not only served as a curtain-raiser to the upcoming season but also celebrated the revamped facilities in northern KwaZulu-Natal, which the Bay will now call home throughout 2025/26. Their path to glory included overcoming Midlands in the semi-final, before seeing off a determined Durban City side who had earlier stunned AmaZulu in dramatic fashion. Usuthu were knocked out in agonising fashion, conceding a late goal to lose 3-2 in an end-to-end semi-final that could have gone either way. Despite the result, assistant coach Siboniso Vilakazi was content with the side's progress. 'From our side, we're very excited by what we've seen, especially from the youngsters. We wanted to play more than one game so that every player gets an opportunity to play,' Vilakazi said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He added that the tournament was vital preparation ahead of their MTN8 quarter-final: 'We're working towards our MTN8 match next week as well as the start of the new season. "We have a way forward with a lot of players having left the club, some returning from loan, and others arriving. So for us, this was a successful experience and we're pleased with what we've done here.' Arrows, meanwhile, were bundled out early after a 3-2 quarter-final defeat to AmaZulu in a fiercely contested derby. Despite the result, assistant coach Musa Bilankulu praised the application of his players, particularly the new recruits adapting to their tactical approach. 'In terms of our preparations for the game, we expected it to be tough in all areas — on and off the ball. The players stuck to the tactical agreements we had prior to the game and I was even more impressed with the new signings,' said Bilankulu. While the day belonged to Richards Bay, the tournament offered valuable insight into the readiness of KZN's top sides before the competitive action resumes in August. For coach Ronnie Gabriel and his team, lifting silverware on home turf could just be the spark needed for a season to remember.
