Durban City Part Ways With Key Forwards

Sportswire has learned that newly promoted Durban City has parted ways with two key forward players from last season: Joslin Kamatuka and Ruzaigh Gamildien.

Gamildien, a seasoned veteran, was instrumental in Durban City’s successful campaign. He netted 10 goals across all competitions, firing the team to victory in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and securing their promotion to the Betway Premiership.

His most crucial contribution was the winning goal against Cape Town Spurs in the final game of the season, which sealed their promotion.

Kamatuka, a Namibian international, had been with the club since its days as Maritzburg United before the rebranding at the start of last season. He also played a vital role in the team’s promotion but has reportedly been deemed surplus to requirements.

What’s particularly astonishing is that the former Baroka FC forward was recently nominated for the Motsepe Foundation Championship Players’ Player of the Season, with the nominees revealed just this past Monday.

These significant changes were largely anticipated following the appointment of Gavin Hunt as the new head coach, replacing Simo Dladla, who led the club to promotion.

Hunt is known for building his own squads, and as Sportswire previously reported, Durban City has already welcomed Darren Keet and Haashim Domingo. Both players left Cape Town City after that club’s relegation last term via the PSL playoffs. It’s no surprise to see the former Kaizer Chiefs coach reuniting with Keet and Domingo, as he previously worked with them at Bidvest Wits.

Durban City has also brought in former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Thabang Sibanyoni, who spent last season on loan at Magesi FC and Richards Bay. Sibanyoni also had a brief spell under Hunt at Wits during the 2022/23 season, where he scored one goal in 14 matches.

Furthermore, as this publication previously revealed, Hunt has added former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Rowan Fernandez as his goalkeeper coach, replacing Mfanafuthi Gwala.