CAF Licensing Hurdle Threatening Pitso’s Durban City Revolution
Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia faces a coaching crisis despite reaching the 2026 Nedbank Cup final, with caretaker coach Pitso Dladla lacking the CAF coaching license required to lead the club in continental competition should they qualify for Africa.
At the same time, Dladla has exceeded expectations, guiding the club to the Nedbank Cup final, where they will face TS Galaxy at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 2 May.
City, who were promoted at the end of last season, have also punched above their weight in the league and currently sit sixth in the Betway Premiership with 35 points from 22 matches.
Victory in the Nedbank Cup would see them qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup next season, alongside the team that finishes third in the league.
However, this is where complications arise, as Dladla would not be allowed to sit on the bench in continental competition due to the absence of the required CAF A coaching licence. He has made it clear that he wants to obtain the CAF A License.
Despite this, his success makes it difficult for the club to overlook him.
When asked how the club plans to balance the situation, Kadodia said:
“We will first see where we finish,” said Kadodia of Dladla, who was appointed caretaker coach in February following the departure of Sinethemba Badela.
“We will assess the requirements needed to compete in Africa if the team qualifies.
“I don’t want to jump into the driving seat now and create false expectations.
“I want the best person for the job. You must remember, we didn’t change coaches because we were fighting relegation.
“Everyone must understand that. If we had been in a relegation battle, then you could approach me differently.”
The other coach the club fired was Gavin Hunt, who was appointed during the off-season and was let go in December.
Kadodia added that he entrusted Dladla and his technical team—Achraf Hendricks and goalkeeper coach Rowan Fernandez—with an opportunity to prove themselves.
“I had a discussion with the coaches. I could have brought in someone else—an experienced or high-profile coach,” said Kadodia.
“But I firmly believe in the players we have. I told the entire technical team, ‘Use this as an opportunity you may never have had before,’ because, to be honest, I think even they were surprised.
“I wanted them to continue developing their coaching qualifications. When it comes to appointing the next coach, I want the best person for the job. A full review will be conducted, and then we will make a decision.”
