Durban City chairman dismisses Khalil Ben Youssef ultimatum reports

Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia has rejected reports that head coach Khalil Ben Youssef is under pressure after just one game of the Betway Premiership season.

Ben Youssef has been in charge of the 2026 Nedbank Cup champions for only a few weeks, but speculation emerged suggesting his position could be at risk following the club’s 1-0 defeat by Sekhukhune United.

Kadodia said the reports were unfounded and warned that such claims could damage the team’s preparations and spirit.

“I must put it on record that I distance myself and the club from all the statements,” Kadodia told this publication.

The Durban City chairman also questioned why the coach would have been given an ultimatum after only one league match.

“I’m the chairman of this club. I will confirm if I’ve given him an ultimatum (to win games). We only played one game (1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United). What ultimatum must I give the coach? I’m just disappointed because there are certain people who don’t realise that these things basically have an impact on the team – on the team spirit and whatever, you know.

“It causes uncertainty, man. You know, certain people go to the staff, and they try to dig out information and whatever it is. But they don’t realise that, listen, we as a club have got a big challenge to meet up with the big teams. And you want to start breaking us up here by dividing and ruling here with all these kind of statements.

“Your publication can just come out and say that I totally denied this. I’ve been keeping away from this kind of statement. I distanced myself from the statement because, absolutely, it’s nonsense. The team played one game. I’m not here to basically put pressure on the coach. I think it’s only fair that the coach must see that also,” he added.

Kadodia’s comments came after Soccer Laduma contacted him for clarity on reports about developments behind the scenes at Durban City.

The chairman said the club was focused on competing with the leading teams and expressed concern that speculation about the manager could create uncertainty among staff and players.

Durban City will have the chance to respond on the pitch when they face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Saturday, 8 August.

The match will be played at the Orlando Amstel Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.

Durban City won the 2026 Nedbank Cup before beginning their Betway Premiership campaign with defeat by Sekhukhune United. Ben Youssef, who only recently took charge, will now prepare for a knockout tie against Orlando Pirates amid the chairman’s firm denial that he has been given any ultimatum.