Smiso Msomi
Richards Bay head coach Brandon Truter has hit back at his detractors as he finalises preparations for the start of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
The former Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu coach has taken over the reins at the Natal Rich Boyz for a second stint having been with the club back in the 2018/19 season. However, it was during his days at the Dube Birds that he announced his arrival among the elite as he guided the club to promotion in the 2019/20 campaign.
In his debut season in the top flight, he guided the now-defunct Soweto giants to a sixth-place finish that included 20 draws, two losses and eight wins.
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— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) September 3, 2024
Now back at the Richards Bay side with raised ambition after they landing a R100 million sponsorship from Phakwe Gas, Truter has been tasked with turning a side that avoided relegation via the play-offs into a top-four team.
In the 87 league matches he has managed with Swallows, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United, Truter has drawn 38, lost 23 and won 26, averaging 1.33 points per match.
Speaking at the Betway Premiership launch on Tuesday, Truter responded to questions about whether he would look to rejig his style of play and be more on the front foot trying to win games rather than trying not to lose them.
The Cape Town-born mentor said the opinions of the press or the public meant very little to him in terms of being labelled a ‘draw specialist’ and he sought to achieve teams’ ambitions as he did with Swallows.
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— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) September 3, 2024
🏆 Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup
📅 Saturday 7 September 2024
🆚 Royal AM
🏟 Prince Mangosuthu Stadium,uLundi
🕒 9h00
🎟 R40 at Ticketpro outlets
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“Personally, I don’t care about what the public or anyone else says about it. Since those 20 draws, Swallows have not finished higher than the sixth position ... that I helped them get,” he said.
“Any point in the Premiership is vital both home and away, it counts at the end of the day. It also helps in taking steps forward and that’s important for us. What people are saying about me, I can’t be worried because otherwise they’ll control my emotions and they’ll control how I react so I’m not even bothered by that.”
Having recruited the likes of Siyethemba Sithebe and Thabiso Kutumela from Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively, Truter explained that it was no surprise to him that the club’s targets would be slightly raised.
He also revealed that the club is still on the lookout for a few more bodies before the transfer window closes on September 20.
“Coming from the play-offs you obviously don’t want to be in that position again and having made the signings we made through the spine with the likes of Sithebe, Kutumela the expectations go a bit higher with both the chairman and the supporters.
“Top eight is the target, it’s my personal ambition as well and I think we can even achieve more if we can get our mentality right. We would like to strengthen one or two more positions that we’re currently discussing and if we get the right player we'll bring him in but yes, we’re not done yet.”