The match within the CAF Confederation Cup will be a historic moment for Durban City, which is preparing to host Rukinzo FC from Burundi in the first preliminary round. The game will take place on Sunday afternoon at the Moses Mabhida stadium.
Despite the fact that the team, which holds the Nedbank Cup, is stepping onto the field at a historic moment, there is a strong sense of urgency. Durban City begins this tournament after a slow start in the domestic league. Although their defense has shown reliability, conceding only two goals in five Premier League matches, frequent draws, including a goalless match against Stellenbosch FC mid-week, have revealed a lack of attacking power.
The most notable moment of their campaign so far remains a convincing away victory over Kruger United with a score of 2-0. Head coach Khalil Ben Youssef fully understands that continental playoff football leaves no room for missed opportunities.
Coach's demands for attack
During the press conference before the match at Moses Mabhida on Saturday, Ben Youssef acknowledged the problem: 'The difficult thing is that we haven't been scoring goals in the last few games.' He added that the team plays very well, but it lacks productivity. 'Tomorrow we are in a situation where we need to score—not just one goal, but more, to make it easier when we travel to Burundi.'
City's technical staff has prepared for the Burundian opponent by studying video footage of Rukinzo FC's last three matches in League A. The guests arrive in South Africa with an unbeaten home run: a 2-1 victory over Panthère Noir FC, followed by two consecutive 0-0 draws with Musongati FC and Olympic Star Muyinga FC, which resembles City's recent form. This also raises concerns about a low-scoring match, as another goalless draw would likely benefit the visitors.
Tactical plans for the game
Anticipating that Rukinzo will adopt a low defensive tactic to maintain chances for the return match, Ben Youssef has developed two tactical plans. He explained: 'Football speaks one language everywhere. We expect them to come to defend to keep a positive result in the second game. But we are ready for both scenarios—if they defend, we have a plan; if they press high, we have a second plan.'
For most Durban City players, Sunday will be their first experience participating in African club competitions. Responding to speculation that his personal continental experience, gained while working in technical staffs across Africa before joining City, creates additional pressure, Ben Youssef shifted the focus to supporting his team. He noted: 'This is something new for 95% of the team. Our job as technical staff is to give them confidence and make them feel like they represent the country. Why not reach the group stage? That is very positive for their name, resume, and career.'
Captain Brooklyn Poggenpoel supported the coach's calm demeanor, emphasizing that the team views this event as a challenge, not a frightening spectacle. According to him, 'it is more football than an event. It is obvious that participation in Africa is a big milestone for the club, but it is just the first step. The mood in the camp is positive. When the collective performs well, individual players achieve more.'
With the scheduled kick-off at 3:00 PM, Durban City's plan is clear: hold their home ground, keep the goal clean, and create a decisive advantage before traveling to East Africa.