Pitso Dladla: ‘We knew Pirates stood no chance’

Durban City FC coach Pitso Dladla has credited his team’s resolute defending for frustrating Orlando Pirates FC to a barren draw on Saturday, 16 May 2026.

Going into the match at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto, the Buccaneers were three points away from claiming the Betway Premiership title when they welcomed the Nedbank Cup kings.

However, Durban City FC defended like their lives depended on grinding out a result from the game, leaving Pirates’ title aspirations hanging in the balance on the outcome of their last match against Orbit College FC next weekend.

Commenting on the point gained on the road—which saw Durban City remain in the top eight—Dladla gave insights into how they neutralised the host’s attacking machine.

𝐃𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐚: 𝐍𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬’ 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞

Durban City head coach Pitso Dladla insists his technical team didn’t overthink their approach to stalling Orlando Pirates, revealing that treating the… pic.twitter.com/daqLbKzpLP

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) May 16, 2026

Durban City game plan against Pirates

“Credit to the boys,” the coach told SuperSport TV. “We knew that it would be difficult. Our resolute defence did it. We defended as a team.”

He added that their game-plan revolved around keeping the Buccaneers at bay when it came to set pieces and crosses.

“We knew that when they put in the crosses, they stood no chance, but we were also worried about the shots that they were taking, especially through Oswin Appollis,” Dladla said.

“As soon as we took control of that, we knew that they would not score even from set-pieces because we are very strong in that.”

For the coach of the visiting team, the secret was also ensuring that the Soweto giants did not find their combination play while limiting space for star players.

“Pirates, to be honest, have players who are technically gifted and also very mobile,” the City FC coach added. “They can put together a combination play. If combination play does not materialise, they can produce individual brilliance, but we worked on that. We knew that once we close certain things, we are good to defend.”

In a separate interview, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou refused to press the panic button.

“We had a game that we expected. We knew that Durban City would not come here to just chill,” he said, urging his charges to wrap up the championship on the final day of the Betway Premiership campaign.

The Buccaneers are two points behind holders and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have wrapped up their domestic league assignments.

🎙️ “𝐖𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝.”

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou remains confident despite a 0-0 draw vs Durban City. He believes the final-day drama is a win for the league after years of Sundowns’ early dominance.

“Something that in… pic.twitter.com/xXdKvKYVJS

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) May 16, 2026