Durban City relies on defense in CAF Confederation Cup historical match against Rukinzo FC in Burundi

Durban City's head coach, Khalil Ben Youssef, realizes that winning the first group stage match of the CAF Confederation Cup against Rukinzo FC does not mean the task is complete, as the team prepares for the return fixture in Burundi on Sunday.

Although 'The Citizens' gained a slight advantage with a 1-0 score in the first match, Ben Youssef believes that the real test for the team awaits them in Burundi. The team is playing its first official match outside South Africa, will face unfamiliar artificial turf, and an opponent who, according to the coach, possesses enough attacking power to punish any carelessness.

Since most of the squad is participating in continental football for the first time, the coach believes that mental preparation may be the decisive factor in trying to maintain the lead and advance.

The team's first appearance on the continental stage at Moses Mabhida Stadium was not easy. In the first half, they struggled to adapt, and it seemed that the atmosphere was putting pressure on the players, who rushed their passes and lost possession. However, Ben Youssef's intervention during the break helped change the course of the game: after the break, the team gained more control of the situation and created several scoring opportunities, resulting in a self-inflicted goal by Rukinzo.

Although the victory gives the team something to defend at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura on Sunday (the match starts at 15:00), Ben Youssef does not consider the task accomplished. He emphasized that this is not a safe result. 'If you win by a large margin, it gives more confidence, but I think this is a difficult result, so we need to prepare for the second game.'

The coach is particularly concerned about the threat from Rukinzo on counterattacks. The Burundian team demonstrated in Durban that it is capable of causing problems when it gains possession, thanks to speed and individual skill in attack.

Ben Youssef noted: 'They have quality players up front, fast, and technically they can change the situation in one-on-one duels.'

These qualities could become even more significant on artificial turf, where the team will have to quickly adapt to conditions very different from those experienced at Moses Mabhida. This is another unfamiliar challenge for a team that is still acclimatizing to the continental arena. Sunday's match will be their first official outing outside South Africa.

Ben Youssef believes that preparing the players for this event will be as important as the tactical plan. He stated: 'Our duty as technical staff is first to prepare our players mentally, then physically and technically. The most important thing is that we must be morally ready to play this game.'

The tight schedule does not end in Burundi either: in just four days, the team must play away against defending champions Orlando Pirates in the league. With a small squad, Ben Youssef admitted that rotation will be necessary, but the immediate focus remains on fulfilling their continental mission.

He added: 'Now we are representing not only Durban City, we are representing the entire country. We are representing South Africa.'

For 'The Citizens', the return match on Sunday will be their toughest test and an opportunity to demonstrate that they can handle pressure outside the borders of South Africa.

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.