Pitso: City Focus On League Clashes, Not Distracted By Cup Final

Durban City coach Pitso Dladla has dismissed suggestions that his squad is distracted by the upcoming Nedbank Cup final following back-to-back league defeats.

Dladla said he does not believe the final has crept into the players’ minds, as reaching any cup final was merely a bonus in their aspirations this season.

City will face TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 2 May — an achievement few expected from a club promoted from the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season.

However, City have suffered back-to-back league defeats, first going down to log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns last Tuesday, before losing again to Golden Arrows in the Durban derby this past weekend.

Notably, the loss to Sundowns was their first at Chatsworth Stadium this season.

Despite this dip in form, City have impressed in their debut top-flight campaign, currently sitting sixth on the table with 35 points from 24 matches – well on their way to finish in the top eight.

They will next travel to face bottom-placed Magesi in a league clash at Seshego Stadium on Sunday (17:30). City won the reverse fixture 3–1 in Durban.

It appears they may not face major difficulties in that encounter; the hosts are coming off a loss in their previous match.

When asked whether he was concerned about the possibility of further losses ahead of the final, with players potentially distracted, Dladla dismissed the notion.

“To be honest, within the team, the most important thing for us is to do well in the league,” said Dladla.

“The players understand this, and we have enough experienced personnel. You can hear it when they talk among themselves. Even as the technical team, along with the chairman and board of directors, we reinforce the same message.

“They always remind us that being in the final is a bonus. The priority is to perform well in the league.

“I don’t think being in the final has gotten into their heads. We recently played Sundowns, and that is always a demanding match.

“Fixture congestion has also played a role in our recent results.

“Most of these players, especially those who competed in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, are used to playing once a week.

“When we have schedules like this — midweek and weekend matches — it becomes physically challenging. But we are not focused on the final; we know the league is more important.”