Durban City advance in CAF Confederation Cup as Ben Youssef praises character

Durban City coach Khalil Ben Youssef says his side will continue to develop from their historic CAF Confederation Cup campaign after reaching the second preliminary round.

The South African club secured a 3-1 aggregate victory over Burundi’s Rukinzo after winning the second leg 2-1 away on Sunday. They will next play Mauritius-based Port Louis, who progressed with a 2-1 aggregate win against Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy.

Durban City took a narrow 1-0 advantage into the second leg but made an ideal start when Kyle Jurgens opened the scoring. Samkelo Maseko then extended their lead before Rukinzo pulled a goal back.

“It was a good two-leg performance from us. We knew what we had to do after the first leg and the players handled the two games well,” Ben Youssef told the club media department.

“Coming here was always going to be a different challenge. You have to adapt to the conditions, the environment and the game itself, and I thought the players did that well.”

The coach said Durban City had no intention of simply defending their first-leg advantage and was pleased with the way they responded after Rukinzo reduced the deficit.

“We didn’t come here to sit back and protect the first-leg result. We wanted to play, we wanted to score and we wanted to win the game, and we did that,” he said.

“At 2-0 we were in a strong position, but when they scored, we had to stay calm. I thought the players showed good character to manage the game and see it through.

“For the club, this is a new experience. We’re learning with every game and every round, and it’s important that we keep improving as we go along. We’re pleased to be through, but that’s what we expected from ourselves. Now we have to recover, get back home and prepare for the next challenge.”

Kaizer Chiefs, who received a bye in the first leg, will meet Zambian club Red Arrows in the second preliminary round. The first leg will be played away on the weekend of October 16-18, with the return seven days later.

In the Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns begin their title defence against Angola’s Wiliete SC in the second qualifying round, with the first leg away in October.

Orlando Pirates will face Namibia’s African Stars in the second preliminary round after beating La Cure Waves SC 3-1 on aggregate.

League fixtures

Thursday: Orlando Pirates v Durban City, Orlando (7.30pm).

Saturday: Richards Bay v Sekhukhune, Princess Magogo (3pm); Polokwane City v AmaZulu, Old Peter Mokaba (5.30pm); Kruger United v Stellenbosch, Mbombela (8pm).

Sunday: Lamontville Golden Arrows v Kaizer Chiefs, Mbombela (3pm); Milford FC v Durban City, Sugar Ray Xulu (3pm); Marumo Gallants v Orlando Pirates, Royal Bafokeng (3pm); TS Galaxy v Chippa United, Solomon Mahlangu (5.30pm).

Fifa Intercontinental Cup

Saturday: Mamelodi Sundowns v Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia), Loftus Versfeld (3pm).