Ben Youssef demands ruthless mentality as Durban City aim for further success

Durban City coach Khalil Ben Youssef says players who do not share the club’s ambition to improve and compete at the highest level will have no place in his squad.

City won the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the 2024/25 season before making an impressive return to the top flight following the rebrand from Maritzburg United. They finished in the top eight and lifted the Nedbank Cup during their first season back among the elite.

The club have made a slower start this term, winning only one of their opening six matches. However, they have progressed to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers and remain among the league’s top three teams for chances created.

They also have one of the three best defensive records when measured by chances conceded, although their lack of conversion has been a clear weakness.

Ben Youssef said the standards expected at Durban City had been made clear from the beginning.

“From the first meeting that we discussed with the player, we said one thing; there’s no small team, there’s no big team. The only thing you need to do is to work, improve yourself and always have objectives in your career to be the best player in the league,” he said.

“If you have this kind of mentality, you can continue to work with us, if you don’t have this mentality, you can leave the team, because you don’t have a place with us. Fortunately for us, all the players answered they are ready.”

The coach added that regular individual and team meetings had been used to establish a new approach within the squad.

“We are working well, making a lot of meetings with the players, individual meetings, trying to help the team, trying to introduce the new philosophy, the new mentality, new mindset for the team – I think in this point, until this moment have succeeded with the team,” he said.

Ben Youssef believes the team’s ability to adapt tactically is evidence of the progress being made, even though their performances have not always been reflected in the results.

“The game plan, the team is playing with character, even changing the systems, the team doesn’t struggle – and it’s something that comes with work, that’s something I’m proud of with the technical staff during this period. Unfortunately, sometimes the results don’t show what we’re doing and what we’re working on.”

He said missed one-on-one chances and open goals had cost City points, but challenged the squad to improve their finishing.

“Count how many 1v1s with the keeper and open goals we have missed, we deserve to be third or number two in the league. But the reality now – we have to work to find solutions for the chances we creating and not scoring.”

Durban City will play provincial rivals Milford FC in their final league match before the upcoming FIFA International Break.