Richards Bay FC head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi has heaped praises on midfielder Sanele Barns for his commitment and dedication to the team amid his imminent departure to the Western Cape.
Barns is set to leave the KwaZulu-Natal outfit at the end of the season after signing a pre-contract with high-flyers Stellenbosch FC.
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The 27-year-old player has agreed on a four-year contract at Stellies, with effect from 1 July.
Barns was not so long ago reported to have landed on the wanted list of Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City respectively, before Stellies won the race for his signature.
Now, head coach Vilakazi has hailed Barns as a true model of professionalism and thanked him for his contribution to the relegation-threatened team this season.
"He is a very professional player. I am happy with his commitment. Usually, when players are leaving the clubs, players they start dragging their feet, but Barns is always fighting for the team," said Vilakazi.
"I had a chat with him [asking him] if he can take the money back to Stellenbosch and [for him to] stay. He said, 'Please, I would do that'.
"So, that is the kind of commitment he has for the club and he is a very professional player.
"We were missing him when we played against Polokwane City, but he came back (against Orlando Pirates) and rose to the occasion," added the former Lamontville Golden Arrows striker.
The Natal Rich Boyz are currently positioned 15th on the DStv premiership log with only two games left before the end of the season.
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They are set to face Cape Town City and Barns' soon-to-be employers before concluding their campaign in the DStv Premiership this season and, in order to escape the play-offs, will hope for Royal AM to drop points in their remaining matches.
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