Ben Youssef praises Asare and Sifumba after Durban City earn derby point

Durban City head coach Khalil Ben Youssef praised goalkeeper Frederick Asare and Luphumlo Sifumba after his side drew 1-1 with Milford FC in the KwaZulu-Natal Betway Premiership derby at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The result was Durban City’s fourth league draw of the campaign. The Durban-based side have won only once so far this season, leaving Ben Youssef still searching for greater consistency from his team.

The Tunisian coach said Durban City had made several mistakes during the match, but also pointed to the demanding circumstances surrounding the fixture. The derby came only days after the side travelled to face Orlando Pirates on Thursday evening.

Despite dropping two points, Ben Youssef considered the draw valuable given the heavy schedule his squad have faced. Durban City have spent much of a demanding September period on the road, with little time between matches.

The former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach also welcomed the arrival of the FIFA international break, which follows the intense run of fixtures. He will hope the pause allows his players to recover before the next stage of their Betway Premiership campaign.

Several individual performances also featured in Ben Youssef’s assessment of the match. He acknowledged Brooklyn Poggenpoel’s call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad, while highlighting Asare’s contribution to securing a point.

Asare was named Man of the Match after producing a decisive display in goal. His most important intervention came from the penalty spot, where his save helped prevent Milford FC from taking control of the contest.

At the other end, Sifumba supplied the quality needed to rescue Durban City. His free-kick equaliser brought the visitors level and ensured the derby ended with the points shared.

The draw extended Durban City’s search for a run of results that can move them beyond their inconsistent start to the season. While the team remain short of victories, Ben Youssef said the result had to be viewed in the context of the club’s crowded fixture list and the physical demands placed on the squad.

The FIFA international break now provides an opportunity for recovery after a September schedule that included the trip to Orlando Pirates and Sunday’s derby against Milford FC. Durban City will return to Betway Premiership action hoping to build on the point earned at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.