Durban City boss Ben Youssef warns Rukinzo tie is far from over

Durban City take a narrow 1-0 advantage to Burundi on Sunday, but head coach Khalil Ben Youssef says his side must be mentally prepared for a difficult CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round return leg against Rukinzo FC.

The match at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura, which kicks off at 15:00, will be Durban City’s first official fixture outside South Africa. It will also require the squad to adapt to an artificial pitch and the threat posed by a Rukinzo attack that Ben Youssef believes can punish any lapse in concentration.

The Citizens secured an important first-leg victory at Moses Mabhida Stadium, but the performance was not straightforward. Durban City struggled to settle during the opening half, with the pressure of their first continental match appearing to affect their decision-making. They rushed passes, conceded possession and found it difficult to establish control.

Ben Youssef’s half-time instructions helped alter the course of the contest. He urged his players to remain calm, play their natural game and enjoy the occasion. Durban City responded by taking greater control after the interval and creating several chances before eventually breaking through when Rukinzo scored an own goal.

“We didn’t start well in the first half. We were rushing, we lost a lot of possession. We felt like the players were under pressure,” Ben Youssef said.

“At half-time, we told the players to keep calm, to play their game and to enjoy playing football. They don’t have to feel the pressure.”

Despite holding the advantage, Ben Youssef does not consider the tie settled. He believes the margin leaves Durban City vulnerable and says the team must approach the second match with the necessary caution.

“It’s not a safe result,” he said. “If you win with more goals, that gives you more confidence, but I think it’s a tricky result, so we need to prepare ourselves for the second game.”

The Durban City manager is especially concerned by Rukinzo’s ability to attack quickly after winning possession. The Burundian side showed in the first leg that it can create openings on the counter-attack, while its forward players possess both pace and individual skill.

“They have quality players in the front, fast and even technically they can make the difference in situations one versus one,” Ben Youssef said.

Those attacking qualities could be enhanced by the artificial playing surface in Bujumbura, which will present Durban City with conditions very different from those at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The club has limited experience of African inter-club competition, and many of its players are experiencing continental football for the first time.

For that reason, Ben Youssef regards the psychological preparation of his squad as a priority alongside the tactical and physical work required for the match.

“It’s our job as a technical staff to prepare our players first mentally, then physically and technically,” he said. “The most important thing is that we have to be ready mentally to play this game.”

The demanding schedule will continue after the trip to Burundi. Durban City are due to play defending champions Orlando Pirates away in the league four days later, meaning Ben Youssef accepts that squad rotation is likely to be necessary, particularly with a small squad.

For now, though, the focus is firmly on completing the Confederation Cup assignment and reaching the next round.

“Now we’re not representing only Durban City, we’re representing all the country. We’re representing South Africa,” he said.

Sunday’s return leg represents Durban City’s biggest test yet beyond South Africa’s borders, with the club seeking to prove that it can withstand the pressure and unfamiliar conditions of continental football.