Durban City demand answers as Ben Youssef faces pressure after poor league start

Durban City’s technical team will undergo a full performance review during the FIFA international break after chairman Farook Kadodia made clear the club is unhappy with its opening seven Betway Premiership matches.

The Citizens are 10th in the league with seven points, having won only one game. The break has given the club an opportunity to assess a campaign that has produced contrasting results in domestic and continental football.

Durban City made history by qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time. They defeated Burundian side Rukinzo 3-1 on aggregate to reach the second qualifying round.

Their domestic form has been considerably less convincing. City were knocked out of the MTN8 in the quarter-finals after a 2-1 extra-time defeat by Orlando Pirates.

Kadodia said the club would use the pause in the season to examine the reasons behind the team’s struggles, with particular attention given to their league performances.

“We’re not happy at all. We just need to get things right, make sure we get points. Eight games to the halfway mark,” he told KICKOFF.

“We need to do a review of these seven league games, plus the two CAF games and the MTN8 but more especially the league. We have to see exactly why we are struggling.”

The chairman also indicated that the players would be involved in discussions when they return from the international break.

“On their return, they will sit and we will talk and see how we can improve things,” he added.

The review comes as head coach Ben Youssef faces growing pressure in a Betway Premiership increasingly marked by changes in the dugout.

Four coaches have already left their positions this season. Sekhukhune United replaced Cedric Kaze with Papi Zothwane, while TS Galaxy dismissed Lehlohonolo Seema and appointed Godfrey Mosoetsa as caretaker.

Marumo Gallants parted company with Phuti Mohafe and brought in Ronnie Kanalelo. Richards Bay also made a change, replacing Ronnie Gabriel with Dimitar Pantev.

Durban City’s record of one league victory from seven matches leaves little room for further dropped points if they are to improve their position before the halfway stage of the season.

Kadodia’s comments suggest the club’s concerns extend beyond individual results, with the technical team expected to provide a detailed account of the league campaign as well as the MTN8 and CAF Confederation Cup fixtures.