Jurgens Urges Discipline To Break 12-Year Orlando Drought
Midfielder Kyle Jurgens says Durban City’s historic progression in the CAF Confederation Cup has fueled immense confidence ahead of their high-stakes encounter against Orlando Pirates.
City defeated Burundian outfit Rukinzo FC 2-1 in their second-leg tie over the weekend, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory to advance to the second preliminary round.
Orlando Pirates also sealed their spot in the next stage of continental competition, progressing past Mauritian side Disciples FC in the CAF Champions League at Orlando Amstel Arena.
With both teams returning to domestic duty, Durban City are eager to build on their continental momentum.
However, they face a formidable task against a Pirates side unbeaten against them since 2024, back when the club competed as Maritzburg United under coach Steve Komphela.
“We want to put in a performance that we can be proud of and, ultimately, get the result we’re looking for. We know it won’t be easy, but we’ll go into the game confident, focused, and ready to give everything to the team,” said Jurgens, who was one of City’s goalscorers against Rukinzo over the weekend.
“We’re looking forward to the game. It’s another important fixture for us, and after the last match, we’ve had to quickly shift our focus and prepare ourselves for what’s ahead. We know what we need to do, and now it’s about taking that preparation onto the pitch.”
This marks the second meeting between the two sides in Soweto this season. Pirates previously claimed a 2-1 victory in the MTN8 quarter-finals in August, a match where City played a man down following a red card shown to co-captain Brooklyn Poggenpoel for a tackle on Tshepang Moremi.
Jurgens, who joined City from Stellenbosch FC, emphasized that tactical discipline will be crucial if they are to snap a 12-year winless streak at Orlando Stadium.
“We have to stay focused on ourselves and make sure we carry out what we’ve been working on,” said Jurgens.
“We need to stay disciplined, compete for everything, and remain together throughout the game. Those things will be important for us.”
He continued: “I always want to improve and contribute more to the team. Whether that’s through goals, assists, or the work I do during the game, I want to make sure I’m helping the team in whatever way I can.”
