Durban City Appoint Ben Youssef As Head Coach

Durban City have confirmed the appointment of Khalil Ben Youssef as their new head coach, confirming earlier reports by Sportswire.

Sportswire was informed on Tuesday that it was only a matter of time before City officially announced Ben Youssef, following the departure of former coach Pitso Dladla.

Dladla parted ways with the club at the end of last season—with his exit officially announced just a few days ago—after memorably leading City to their maiden silverware, the Nedbank Cup.

It was a remarkable debut top-flight season for City, who achieved cup glory and a top-eight finish immediately after securing promotion to the Betway Premiership.

An Impressive Profile

A holder of the prestigious CAF A Licence, Ben Youssef brings extensive coaching experience spanning Africa and the Middle East. Having worked in Tunisia, Morocco, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, he has built a strong reputation for tactical expertise and a commitment to developing competitive teams.

Most recently, he served as co-coach alongside Cedric Kaze, guiding Kaizer Chiefs to a third-place finish last season.

Chairman’s Statement

Durban City FC Chairman Farook Kadodia reflected on the club’s decision to bring Ben Youssef on board:

“Khalil is a coach with strong experience, excellent technical knowledge and a clear understanding of the modern game,” Kadodia said in a statement.

“We believe he is the right person to lead the next phase of Durban City Football Club’s journey. Over the past two seasons, we have built a strong foundation, and our focus now is to continue growing the club both on and off the field.

“We are confident that Khalil possesses the leadership, character and football philosophy required to help us achieve our ambitions, and we are delighted to welcome him to Durban City FC.”

The New Coach’s Vision

Ben Youssef expressed his excitement about taking the reins at the club:

“I am honoured to join Durban City FC and would like to thank the chairman, the board of directors and everyone at the club for the trust they have placed in me,” he said.

“This is an ambitious club with a clear vision for the future, and I am excited to begin working with the players and technical staff as we prepare for the season ahead. My focus is on building a competitive team that reflects the values and ambitions of Durban City FC.”