Pitso Dladla admits ‘valid concern’ over Durban City’s top 8 slide

Durban City FC interim coach Pitso Dladla has conceded that the club’s sliding form is a major cause for concern as they fight to maintain their top-eight status in the Betway Premiership.

Once comfortable in the top half of the table, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit is now enduring a worrying four-match winless streak. Their latest setback came on Friday night in a gritty 1-1 draw against Orbit College FC at the Chatsworth Stadium.

In cold and wet conditions, Durban City looked a shadow of their usual selves at home, struggling to impose their rhythm. The physical nature of the contest saw key players Terrence Mashego and Kyle Jurgens pick up early bookings, forcing Dladla into tactical substitutions to avoid a numerical disadvantage.

While the draw snapped a three-match losing streak, the result leaves the door wide open for their rivals. Polokwane City, who hold two games in hand, are now in prime position to overtake Durban for sixth place, while Golden Arrows also remain a lurking threat.

Dladla wary as Durban City’s Top 8 status comes under threat

Reflecting on the club’s current trajectory, Dladla did not hide his unease regarding their league standing.

“That’s a valid concern for us at the moment because we have been in sixth place for the longest time and we want to cement that spot,” Dladla told the media.

“But coming from three defeats sometimes, it will take time. It’s not easy to go straight to a victory after those defeats. So this point means a lot to us. We can build from here; our players and technical team can draw confidence from this tonight.”

Physicality and the Nedbank Cup Final

The match was an aerial battle, with Orbit College’s long-ball tactics forcing Durban City onto the back foot for large periods. Despite the tactical struggle, Dladla praised his side’s resilience after fighting back from a goal down.

“I think the boys put in a very good fight. The game became very physical at some point, and I think it was characterised by a lot of aerial balls,” Dladla explained. “They scored, we equalised, and then we fought for a bit. Maseko got in brilliantly behind the defence but their keeper again played a big part and made the save which kept us from going 2-1 up.”

The point earned at Chatsworth serves as a fragile foundation for what is arguably the biggest game in the club’s history this coming Saturday. Durban City travel to Polokwane to face TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final.

Lifting the trophy would not only secure their first piece of major silverware but could also provide the necessary psychological boost to navigate their final four league fixtures and guarantee a spot in next season’s MTN8.