Why Gaston Sirino started on the bench for Durban City’s opening defeat

Durban City head coach Khalil Ben Youssef says Gaston Sirino was only fit enough for a second-half appearance in their opening 2026/27 Betway Premiership match because the midfielder had just returned from injury.

The Uruguayan came on during City’s 1-0 defeat by Sekhukhune United at Seshego Stadium on Saturday, having trained only three times during the week. Ben Youssef said the 35-year-old was not yet ready to complete a full match.

Sirino joined Durban City last month after Kaizer Chiefs decided not to renew his contract at the end of June. He was one of three new signings named among the substitutes against Babina Noko, with Tashreeq Morris and Bandile Shandu also introduced during the game.

“Sirino started to train only three training sessions this week. He was two weeks out, so he’s not able to play 90 minutes. So for that we keep him for the second half,” said Ben Youssef.

The coach was explaining his decision after being asked by iDiski Times why Sirino had not been included in the starting line-up.

“No, Sirino was injured,” answered Khalil when asked byiDiski Timeswhy the player didn’t make the starting 11.

Ben Youssef said he selected striker Jean Lwamba Lubumba from the beginning because he wanted to use the forward’s pace and movement to threaten Sekhukhune United’s defence.

“I think the plan of the game it was to choose [Jean Lubumba] Lwamba because we need someone who is more mobile.

“About the mobility of Lwamba he is fast and he can give us solutions in the deep and it was the plan of the first half if you see how many balls he received behind the line of defense.”

Durban City went into the interval trailing 1-0. After falling behind, Ben Youssef changed his attacking approach by playing Lwamba and Morris together and asking them to operate in wide areas before moving into the penalty area to meet crosses.

“Then in the second half, we were losing 1-0, we took the risk and put Lwamba and Morris together and it was the idea to play them in the wide and to finish with the crosses using Lwamba and Morris in the box.

“Unfortunately Morris got two opportunities with his head he was unlucky to not score. But like I said the most important thing is the performance of the players.”

Sirino’s introduction was part of a second-half reshuffle that also saw Morris and Shandu make their debuts for Durban City. However, City could not find an equaliser and began their league campaign with defeat away from home.

Despite the result, Ben Youssef praised his players’ display and said he believed results would improve as the season progressed.

“I’m happy about the performance. I know the result wasn’t good, but it’s the first game and still a lot of games to play and I’m proud about the players. The result will come after.”