Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla aims to deepen Durban City’s early-season crisis

Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla will face former club Durban City with the chance to heap further pressure on them in tonight’s Betway Premiership KwaZulu-Natal derby at Chatsworth Stadium (19:30).

Dladla guided Durban City to the club’s historic Nedbank Cup triumph last season before leaving at the end of the campaign to take charge of neighbours Golden Arrows. He will now come up against the team he led to silverware in a fixture that sees the two sides arrive in sharply contrasting form.

Durban City have lost their opening two matches of the season, going down to Sekhukhune United in the league before suffering a painful 2-1 defeat by Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s MTN8 quarter-final.

They will be seeking to prevent a third consecutive defeat and secure their first points under new coach Khalil Ben Youssef. The early results have placed Ben Youssef under pressure, although he has indicated that the club’s assessment of his work will come later in the campaign.

Golden Arrows, known as Abafana Be’sthende, have made a more encouraging start under Dladla. They began their league campaign with a goalless draw against Chippa United before producing a notable 1-0 cup victory over Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday.

Dladla will be eager to overcome his former side but believes Golden Arrows still have considerable room to improve, despite being pleased with the way they have begun the season.

“I’m very happy for the players who have shown a high level of confidence because if you look at our training sessions, this is how we play, and also, if you check the players that are brought in by the club, they are those that are technically gifted,” Dladla said.

“So, that’s the only way we should play according to our strengths, and I believe that we are not where we want to be; there is still a lot of room for improvement, but I’m happy with how we are playing currently.”

Ben Youssef said the demands of coaching meant he understood the scrutiny surrounding his position, but added that the club had agreed on a longer period in which to assess his progress.

“I think as a coach, when you come to a new team, you don’t open your luggage; you keep your luggage always ready. That’s part of our job; we are always at risk.

“I think the discussion with the board was to make the first proper analysis about the work after 15 games.

“There is a target that we put together inside. There are a number of points that we have to achieve.”

The meeting gives Dladla an immediate opportunity to add to Durban City’s difficult start while continuing Golden Arrows’ promising opening under their new coach. With City still searching for their first points of the campaign, the result at Chatsworth Stadium could increase the scrutiny on Ben Youssef if the hosts suffer another defeat.