Durban City boss Ben Youssef urges reinforcements before CAF Confederation Cup test

Durban City coach Khalil Ben Youssef says his squad needs two or three more signings to cope with a congested season that includes a debut campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The newly appointed coach believes extra depth is essential as Durban City prepare to compete on four fronts: the Betway Premiership, MTN8, Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederation Cup. He argues that further reinforcements will be crucial for squad rotation and maintaining performance levels.

Ben Youssef was speaking after Durban City were beaten 5-4 on penalties in the KZN Premier’s Cup on Saturday, a match he described as a useful barometer ahead of the new league season.

“From our side, what we expected before the game, we ended up doing,” Ben Youssef said.

“In the first and second third, the team was very good. Unfortunately, in the final third, I feel we need a little bit of creativity and to be more decisive.

“Defensively, we performed really well. The opposition didn’t create a lot of opportunities. This was a good challenge to see where we are before the league starts against Sekhukhune.”

Squad depth and CAF experience a priority

Ben Youssef stressed that Durban City must add players with proven continental experience if they are to be competitive in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“I am happy about the team, but we still need about two or three players to help the squad – just to be more sure about the team,” he said. “We will be playing in a lot of competitions this season, and we need more players from the squad for rotation.”

The coach highlighted the arrivals of Sandile Shandu and Gaston Sirino as particularly significant, pointing to their previous exposure to African club competition as a key asset.

“With Morris and Sirino, it wasn’t about me knowing them, but us needing players who have been to Africa before,” Ben Youssef explained.

“When we play in the Confederation Cup, we need at least three players who have been in the competition so they can help the others. I think the recruitment of these players will give others confidence.”

Attacking edge still missing

While the coach was satisfied with his side’s defensive structure in the KZN Premier’s Cup defeat, he underlined that improving the final-third play remains a pressing concern.

Last season, Durban City built a reputation for their resilience at the back but were heavily reliant on Jean Lubumba as an attacking threat. Ben Youssef believes the core of the squad is strong but still requires refinement in forward areas if the club is to progress.

He suggested that the main challenge in the coming campaign will be breaking down the strongest defences in the Betway Premiership, as Durban City look to translate their solid base into a more incisive attacking output.

Scoring more goals and exploiting space in tight matches, particularly against the league’s leading sides, has been identified as an area that must improve if the club are to balance domestic ambitions with a demanding continental schedule.

Building on Nedbank Cup success

Durban City head into the new season buoyed by last year’s Nedbank Cup triumph, which also delivered a R7 million prize. The club appear to have reinvested that windfall by securing the services of former Chiefs coach Ben Youssef and forward signing Sirino.

The Nedbank Cup success underlined the squad’s potential but also highlighted the need for greater depth and variety in attack if the club is to compete consistently on multiple fronts.

As the Betway Premiership opener against Sekhukhune approaches and preparations for the CAF Confederation Cup continue, Ben Youssef’s message is clear: Durban City have a strong platform, but further experienced reinforcements are, in his view, essential to meet the demands of the season ahead.