Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel has backed striker Nqaba Xulu to score at least 10 goals this Betway Premiership season. The 23-year-old forward has already netted three times, including a brace in the 2-2 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday.
His form is a bright spot for a team currently 12th in the table with three points from four games. The Natal Rich Boys have drawn three and lost one, scoring five goals while conceding six. They sit 10 points behind early leaders Orlando Pirates.
How has Nqaba Xulu started the season?
Nqaba Xulu opened his account for Richards Bay FC two weeks ago, scoring his maiden goal of the campaign in a 1-1 draw against Durban City. He then announced himself on a bigger stage with two goals against giants Kaizer Chiefs. That performance at Princess Magogo Stadium showcased his potential at the top level. The club signed him as a free agent before the season began after his spell with local provincial side Milford FC.
Coach Ronnie Gabriel is clearly impressed. "[Xulu] has been brilliant thus far for us … he’s been a good signing for us," Gabriel told Sowetan. "He’s shown his worth, he’s shown his value and he has shown his quality that he is capable of performing at this level."
What is Ronnie Gabriel's expectation for Xulu?
Gabriel has set a clear target for his young striker. He believes Xulu can become a consistent double-digit scorer in the Premiership. "There’s no better way than repaying us with goals and he’s scoring week in and week out, so we just need to continue to work with him and polish up the areas we feel we could improve him on, and he could be a 10-12 goal-striker a season," the coach said. This ambition is central to the team's plans as they look to climb from the lower half of the standings.
Where does Nqaba Xulu come from?
The striker's journey to the top flight is a local story. He hails from Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal and was previously with Milford FC, a league rookie side also based in Richards Bay. His move across town to the Premiership outfit represents a significant step up. His adaptation and immediate impact suggest the scouting team identified a player ready for the challenge.
What is the context for Richards Bay FC's season?
The team's need for a reliable goal source is evident. With five goals from four matches, finding a consistent scorer is a priority for improvement. Xulu's emergence offers hope. The team's defensive record also needs tightening, having let in six goals so far. You can view the full breakdown of the squad's contributions on our stats page. Building around a productive striker like Xulu could be key to turning draws into wins and moving up the table.
Nqaba Xulu will look to add to his three-goal tally when Richards Bay FC next plays, with fixtures available on our fixtures schedule.
