Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel has expressed his delight at the
seamless transition of his former player, Nkosikhona Ndaba, to Orlando
Pirates. Gabriel believes the 23-year-old fullback possesses the technical
skill and mental fortitude required to excel at the Soweto giants.
Ndaba, who moved to Pirates ahead of the 2025/26 season after playing under
Gabriel at Richards Bay, has already begun to feature in the Buccaneers’
defensive plans.
In an exclusive interview, Gabriel highlighted Ndaba’s positive attitude and
rapid adaptation to the pressures of a top club. He noted that the Pirates
coaching staff are increasingly trusting the young defender with more
minutes on the pitch.
“Technically he’s very gifted – he’s a highly coachable player,” Gabriel
stated. “His strengths are clear in one-on-one situations, both in defence
and attack. He has all the tools to succeed at Pirates.”
Gabriel also emphasized Ndaba’s modern versatility, describing him as a
“very mobile fullback” who can effectively overlap or underlap, making him a
valuable asset in multiple roles within the team’s structure.
While confident in Ndaba’s ability, the coach also offered some prudent
advice, urging his former protégé to remain humble and dedicated amidst the
intense competition for a starting spot. He concluded that when players like
Ndaba get their opportunity, they must “grab it and never let it go again.”
