Durban City take narrow CAF Confederation Cup lead on continental debut

Durban City made a winning start to their first CAF Confederation Cup campaign as they edged past Rukinzo 1-0 in the preliminary-round first leg on Sunday afternoon.

The decisive moment came in the 65th minute, when a Rukinzo defender turned the ball into his own net to give the South African side a valuable advantage before next weekend’s return fixture in Burundi.

The result marked Durban City’s first victory in continental football and their first goal in the competition. They now have a one-goal lead to protect when the two teams meet again next Sunday.

The KwaZulu-Natal club earned their place in the CAF Confederation Cup after winning their maiden Nedbank Cup title under Pitso Dladla. Dladla has since moved to provincial rivals Golden Arrows.

Durban City are now being managed by Khalil Ben Youseff, who brought previous CAF Confederation Cup experience to the match. Ben Youseff was part of the Kaizer Chiefs coaching set-up as co-coach when the Soweto club reached the competition’s group stage.

Kaizer Chiefs finished third in that group-stage campaign.

There was little to separate the teams during a cautious opening 20 minutes at the start of Sunday’s contest. Neither side was able to establish sustained pressure or create a clear-cut opportunity during that early period.

Durban City gradually became more threatening as half-time approached. Gaston Sirino and Haashim Domingo provided quality deliveries into the penalty area, giving the hosts openings from wide areas.

One of those chances fell to Morris, whose header was kept out by the Rukinzo goalkeeper. It was one of the better opportunities of a first half that otherwise remained tightly contested.

The match opened up after the interval, with Durban City offering a greater attacking threat. Their pressure eventually produced the breakthrough shortly after the hour mark, although it arrived through an unfortunate intervention by a Rukinzo defender rather than a direct finish from a Durban City player.

The own goal gave Ben Youseff’s team the lead and supplied a significant moment in the club’s first continental campaign.

Rukinzo were unable to find an equaliser in the closing stages, while Durban City held on to secure a slender but important win. The hosts’ ability to manage the final phase ensured they travelled to the second leg with the advantage.

The return match will be played in Burundi next Sunday, with Durban City seeking to complete their progress in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.