Durban City’s Ben Youssef backs side to overcome Orlando Pirates in MTN8

Despite the scale of the challenge awaiting Durban City against Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s MTN8 quarter-final, coach Khalil Ben Youssef believes his team’s performance in their 1-0 league defeat by Sekhukhune United provides encouragement.

The match will take place at Orlando Amstel Arena, with kick-off at 15:00. Ben Youssef is hoping Durban City can reproduce the fighting spirit they showed against Sekhukhune United and turn that display into a positive result against the Buccaneers.

The former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach felt his side did not deserve to lose their opening league match, even though they were unable to find the net. He was particularly encouraged by the attitude of the players and the unity developing within the squad.

“The atmosphere inside the camp is very positive, the hospitality of old players to the new ones has been very good and we have a very good squad. There is a brotherhood and they help the new players,” Ben Youssef said.

“I was happy with the performance of the players against Sekhukhune United. I know the results were not good, but it was the first match and there is still a lot to play and the results will come.”

The Durban City manager accepts that his team must improve in the final third, while the return of several players from injury should give him more options as the season progresses.

“We discussed a lot about the final third with some players coming soon and I think the team will be better, playing five competitions with these new players, they will give us more solutions and they will help the team.”

Durban City are set to compete in five competitions this season: the Betway Premiership, MTN8, Carling Knockout, CAF Confederation and the Nedbank Cup.

Ben Youssef has warned that the demands of the schedule could expose the limitations of his squad, particularly if matches come every three days. He has therefore advised the club’s management to strengthen the group with further additions, although the team must work within a restricted budget.

“We will have a situation where we will be playing every three days, so we need to make a rotation, you need to have a [bigger] squad and players who can play. So, if we don’t have players that we can rotate, then it will be difficult and a risk of injuries.

“We are working together every week we meet. We discuss everything, the difficulties we have and what we need for the team to improve to have more solutions.

“We need to find players who are available, but we have a limited budget and we are not in a situation where we can bring any player.”

Saturday’s other MTN8 quarter-final will see Mamelodi Sundowns face Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 18:00.

On Sunday, AmaZulu host Sekhukhune United at Chatsworth Stadium at 15:00, before Kaizer Chiefs meet Lamontville Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium at 18:00.

The full MTN8 schedule is:

– Orlando Pirates v Durban City, Orlando Amstel Arena, Saturday, 15:00 – Mamelodi Sundowns v Polokwane City, Lucas Moripe Stadium, Saturday, 18:00 – AmaZulu v Sekhukhune United, Chatsworth Stadium, Sunday, 15:00 – Kaizer Chiefs v Lamontville Golden Arrows, FNB Stadium, Sunday, 18:00