Durban City aims for a fast start under Khalil Ben Youssef in match against Sekhukhune United

The Durban City team has evolved beyond just a promoted side aiming to establish itself in the upper echelons. It is now a full-fledged squad that needs to find ways to compete against Africa's best teams.

Last Season's Experience

Winning the Nedbank Cup last season was both a blessing and a curse. While it was a blessing for obvious reasons, it became a curse due to the demands associated with participating in the CAF Confederation Cup while simultaneously playing in the local league and subsequent cup tournaments, including MTN8, Carling Knockout, and Nedbank Cup.

Last season, the team's defense appeared complete, even strong enough to secure a 0-0 draw against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium. The club's defense demonstrated composure beyond the players' age. However, the team struggled precisely in the final third of the pitch.

Attacking Problems

Over the last ten matches of the previous season, Durban failed to secure a victory, raising serious questions about the attacking unit. Joslin Kamatuka started the season in good spirits, but injuries struck this Namibian forward, forcing Jean Lubumba onto the field. By the end of the season, Lubumba seemed to pick up pace, scoring in a run of games, but then the momentum slowed. Durban looked like a team lacking a playmaker or a capable number nine striker who could win matches and utilize a solid defense.

New Coach's Demands

Following the recent KZN Premier's Cup, which served as a warm-up before the start of the season this weekend, the newly appointed Durban coach, Khalil Ben Youssef, expressed the view that the club still lacks creativity in its attacking approach. Ben Youssef, a former assistant coach for Kaizer Chiefs, is well aware of the difficulties of playing in Africa, which was the main reason for his recruitment to the club.

After Durban City was eliminated from the Premier's Cup via penalties by Richards Bay, Ben Youssef stated that the club lacks squad depth, arguing that the team needs two or three more players with experience in CAF competitions. He noted: 'The team played very well in the first and second thirds. Unfortunately, in the final third, I feel we need some creativity and more decisiveness.'

He continued: 'I am satisfied with the team, but we still need about two or three players to help the squad—just to be more confident in the team. We will participate in many competitions this season, and we need more players in the squad for rotation.'

Team Prospects

Durban parted ways with former assistant coach Pitso Dladla but managed to acquire players with CAF experience: Bandile Shandu, Gastón Sirino, and Tashreeq Morris. Ben Youssef believes this trio will play a vital role in guiding the Durban team through its first CAF experience. Now it depends on him whether he can integrate the new players into the Durban squad.

Last season, Durban demonstrated huge potential and resilience. If they can combine this with Ben Youssef's experience, it could be another fruitful season. However, if they fail to sort out their game in the final third of the pitch, the season could turn into a disappointment.

South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe have joined forces by submitting a joint bid to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in 2028 in the Southern Africa region.

Goal of the Joint Bid

CAF President Tarik Babitseng confirmed that the three countries are collaborating to win the rights to host Africa's largest football competition. This bid comes amid South Africa's desire to host AFCON for the first time since the tournament in 2013, after previous editions were held in other parts of the continent, including Morocco and Kotor.

Motivation of the Participating Countries

Babitseng believes that now is the right time for Southern Africa to once again demonstrate its capability to host major continental events. He noted that the decision to submit the bid was driven by the fact that the tournament was previously held in Morocco, Kotor, etc., and it is time for South Africa to host this event.

Strengths of the Partnership

The proposed partnership combines South Africa's established football infrastructure with the developing facilities of neighboring states. South Africa previously hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and possesses numerous world-class stadiums. Meanwhile, Botswana and Zimbabwe are working to improve their sports venues ahead of the potential tournament.

Tournament Preparation

Babitseng highlighted the current preparations in both countries as part of the joint bid. He reported that Zimbabwe is undertaking renovations, and their stadiums will be ready by next year. Furthermore, Botswana has stadiums in Gaborone and Francistown, and South Africa is known for hosting the World Cup.

Next Steps and Expectations

The joint bid is entering a critical phase, and it is expected that the three countries will assess the logistical requirements and ensure the consistency of all aspects of the proposal before the final submission. For CAF, securing the rights to host AFCON would be a significant achievement for South African football, providing an opportunity for the development of the game in a region that often lags behind other parts of the continent. With South Africa's experience, Zimbabwe's football heritage, and Botswana's growing ambitions, the alliance hopes that their combined proposal will convince CAF of South Africa's readiness to once again welcome Africa's premier football event.

The Johannesburg team intends to achieve a historic fifth consecutive title in the Spar National Netball Championship, despite undergoing a squad restructuring period. Previously, the Johannesburg team won its fourth consecutive title in the Senior Division National Netball Championship in Boxburg in December in the Ekurhuleni region.

Upcoming Tournament

In the coming year, the team will compete for the fifth consecutive title at the tournament, which will take place at Stellenberg High School next month. The tournament, which is South Africa's main inter-regional competition, is scheduled for August 6 to 11 in Cape Town.

Previous Achievements and Opponents

Defending the championship title, the Johannesburg team defeated the hosts from Cape Town with a score of 52:51 in a tense senior division final last year. This victory marked a significant improvement for the Jo'burg team, which had previously lost to its Cape Town rivals in the group stage.

Scale of Competition

In addition to defending the title in the senior category, Johannesburg will also defend its title in the under-21 category. In total, 122 teams will participate over six days, including 58 senior regional teams and 64 under-21 teams, making this event one of the key platforms for talent identification in the country.

Coach Comments and Squad

Despite the ambition for a fifth consecutive trophy, Johannesburg coach Elshe Jordaan emphasized that her team approaches the tournament without the burden of history. She noted that the current squad is significantly different from the team that began Jo'burg's dominant period. Jordaan stated: 'This is a new team. Only one player remains from the team that started the winning streak, so we are rebuilding, and we are very happy to see what these new players can do for us.'

The coach also mentioned difficulties related to injuries during preparation but stressed that training sessions are intense. She added that championships remain a vital step for athletes striving for higher achievements, as it is a platform where players can demonstrate their value.

Opponent Motivation and Sports Development

Meanwhile, the host side from Cape Town is determined to achieve even greater success after losing the final last year by a single point. The advantage of playing at Stellenberg High could give them the necessary chance to interrupt Johannesburg's dominance.

Furthermore, South African President Mami Dial highlighted the ongoing role of this event in developing national potential, noting that the tournament continues to showcase the depth of the country's talent and provides valuable experience before selection for the Spar Proteas national team.