Durban City begin new era with Sekhukhune United visit

Durban City will start the new Betway Premiership season under Khalil Ben Youssef when they host Sekhukhune United at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday, with the new coach targeting an immediate statement of intent.

City impressed in their first campaign in South Africa’s top flight by securing a top-eight finish, exceeding expectations in the process. They will now hope to build on that achievement by taking three points in front of their home supporters in their opening match of the new season.

The fixture also brings Ben Youssef up against a familiar face. He worked alongside Sekhukhune United head coach Cedric Kaze at Kaizer Chiefs last season, but the pair will now be in opposing dugouts as they begin their respective campaigns.

Ben Youssef has brought fresh anticipation to Durban City since his appointment, with a promise to make the side more attack-minded while retaining the defensive organisation that underpinned their success last season.

The hosts are aware that a slow start could prove costly against a Sekhukhune United team that has regularly shown its ability to make matches difficult for opponents. City’s opening-day performance will provide an early indication of how quickly the players have absorbed their new manager’s ideas.

Ben Youssef is expected to preserve the team’s defensive base while asking his midfielders to keep possession for longer and create more chances in the final third. Durban City displayed encouraging signs during pre-season, but Saturday’s meeting will be the first meaningful test of their progress under the Tunisian coach.

Their most recent contest with Sekhukhune United ended in a 1-1 draw. Saziso Magawana put Durban City ahead in the 71st minute, but Tshepho Mashiloane equalised with only two minutes of normal time remaining.

That late recovery underlined Sekhukhune’s ability to remain competitive until the final whistle. Durban City will therefore need to maintain their concentration throughout the match if they are to prevent the visitors from securing another positive result.

The home side will look to Haashim Domingo for creativity and Magawana for the finishing touch. Sekhukhune United are expected to pose their main attacking threat through Mashiloane and Bradley Grobler.

A strong turnout is anticipated at Chatsworth Stadium, where both clubs will be seeking an encouraging start to the campaign. For Durban City, victory would mark an ideal beginning to Ben Youssef’s tenure and reinforce their ambition of claiming another top-eight finish.

The match also represents an opportunity for City to show that last season’s performance was not a one-off. With a new coach seeking to add greater attacking purpose to an established defensive structure, the way Durban City respond in their first competitive fixture will be closely watched. Sekhukhune United, meanwhile, will aim to frustrate the hosts once again and leave Durban with a result of their own.