Why Durban City and Sinethemba Badela parted ways

Durban City FC have shed light on the factors behind the sudden departure of head coach Sinethemba Badela, citing a misalignment between long-term philosophy and immediate competitive pressures.

The news, which first made the rounds in the SA media on Monday morning, was confirmed by the club on Monday afternoon as a “mutual agreement” effective immediately. Despite the brevity of Badela’s stay—lasting just three matches—the club insists the decision was not a reaction to poor results, but rather a clash between long-term vision and short-term survival.

Thank you, Coach Badela.

Durban City FC confirms that the Club has parted ways with Head Coach Sinethemba Badela by mutual agreement.

We appreciate his service and wish him every success moving forward.

Read the full club Update below:https://t.co/vLOVDvcISR… pic.twitter.com/tdUDNHNGW1

— Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) February 9, 2026

A Clash of Timelines

Badela arrived in Durban in December 2025 with a reputation for modern, progressive football, succeeding Gavin Hunt. However, with only 13 fixtures remaining in the current campaign, the club’s hierarchy felt they could not afford the time required for his philosophy to take root.

On Monday, Durban City clarified: “The club concluded that the time required to fully embed this philosophy was not compatible with the immediate competitive demands of the current campaign.”

Essentially, while the board admired Badela’s tactical blueprint, the “operational readiness” and experience needed to navigate the final stretch of the season necessitated a change in direction.

Badela shares a footballing philosophy with Rulani Mokwena, and he is a coach with an impressive pedigree, having served as a head coach at Chippa United and within the Mamelodi Sundowns DDC structures. He most recently worked alongside Mokwena as an assistant coach at Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca. The 36-year-old tactician first rose to prominence at the now-defunct All Stars before Mokwena recruited him to Sundowns to lead the reserve side, ensuring a tactical synergy across the club’s ranks.

The Badela File: Short but Impactful

Though his tenure was short-lived, Badela’s record on the pitch was far from a failure. He leaves the KZN outfit with a 66% win rate:

The Debut: A 1-0 victory over Polokwane City FC at Chatsworth Stadium.

The Setback: A 2-0 league loss to his former side, Chippa United.

The Revenge: A gritty 3-2 penalty shootout win over the same Chippa United side to progress in the Nedbank Cup.

The club was quick to praise his professionalism, noting that he had successfully introduced a “values-driven culture” within the squad during his brief stint.

Durban City’s Full Statement On Badela

“Durban City FC confirms that the Club has mutually agreed to part ways with Head Coach Sinethemba Badela, with immediate effect.

“This decision is not a reflection of match results, nor does it detract from the professionalism, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by Coach Badela during his tenure.

“The Club acknowledges and sincerely appreciates his contribution, particularly his role in introducing a modern footballing philosophy and cultivating a strong, values-driven culture within the squad. His approach was aligned with the Club’s long-term vision and developmental objectives.

“Following a comprehensive internal review, the Club concluded that the time required to fully embed this philosophy was not compatible with the immediate competitive demands of the current campaign.

“With thirteen critical fixtures remaining in the season, the environment requires a level of experience, operational readiness, and short-term stability to navigate the pressures both on and off the pitch.

“Durban City FC extends its sincere gratitude to Coach Badela for his professionalism and contribution and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.The Club will communicate interim coaching arrangements and the process regarding the appointment of a new Head Coach in due course.

“Durban City FC thanks its supporters, partners, and the wider Durban football community for their continued loyalty, patience, and belief in the Club’s direction. The Club remains fully committed to building a strong, competitive, and proudly Durban football institution.”

Durban City FC now finds itself at a crossroads. With a critical run of games approaching, the club has promised to announce an interim coaching structure shortly.

The focus now shifts to finding a successor who can provide the “short-term stability” the board is craving to secure their position in the Betway Premiership.