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PRESSURE is mounting on Richards Bay coach, Kaitano Tembo in the South African Premier Soccer League as they continue dropping points. 

While it is already public knowledge that Richards Bay are struggling financially and cannot build a stronger outfit, they still expect results as they lie second from the bottom with six points from eight matches. 

They have just one win, three draws and four defeats ahead of tomorrow’s home match against Polokwane. 

On Sunday, Richards Bay had to scramble a 1-1 draw away to TS Galaxy. 

What puts more pressure on Tembo and Richards Bay is that bottom-placed Cape Town Spurs yesterday fired coach Shaun Bartlett for their pointless start after seven matches. 

The club confirmed yesterday morning that they had parted ways with Bartlett after Spurs became the first side in PSL history to start a season with seven straight defeats, thanks to their 1-3 loss to Mother City rivals, Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium. 

“Following an extensive review and discussions with Bartlett and taking into consideration the current set of results, we have mutually agreed to the termination of the head coach’s contract with immediate effect,” Spurs’ statement said.

Spurs appointed Sean Connor as the club’s technical and he has already begun the re-structure of the coaching set up at the club. A short-list of candidates has been identified and an announcement is expected imminently. 

After the weekend defeat, Bartlett appeared to be blaming their unrivalled slump in form to a lack of quality in playing personnel, suggesting the club had not given him enough material to succeed. 

“It’s like asking a chef to produce a great dish but you don’t give him proper ingredients, it’s difficult. I don’t really disclose too much as to confidential stuff. We all know what the situation is. 

“We’ve always been a club that promotes young players and does not go too much into the market. But sometimes a level-up is maybe too much for certain players,” said Bartlett.