Pitso Dladla Fumes Over Durban City Departure

Golden Arrows head coach Pitso Dladla cut a furious figure on Saturday, refusing to discuss his abrupt off-season departure from Durban City following Abafana Bes’Thende’s KZN Premier’s Cup playoff defeat to Milford FC at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.

Dladla was released by City during the off-season due to his lack of a CAF A License—a mandatory requirement by African football’s governing body to sit on the bench during next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Throughout the previous campaign, Dladla consistently voiced his intention to obtain the qualification, repeatedly clarifying that he had no desire to hold the Durban City post on a permanent basis without it.

However, City management made the swift decision to part ways with the tactician at the end of last season after he guided the club to a historic maiden Nedbank Cup title, which secured their inaugural continental berth.

When pressed on his departure, a visibly agitated Dladla brushed off the subject:

“I was let go where? Why are you diverting? Let go where?” Dladla shot back.

To replace Dladla, Durban City appointed Tunisian and former Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef, who holds the required CAF A License ahead of the club’s continental debut in the preliminary rounds this September.

Following his exit from City, Dladla took over the reins at Golden Arrows, succeeding Manqoba Mngqithi ahead of the new campaign.

Arrows, who secured a sixth-place finish in the Betway Premiership last term, kick off their 2026/27 season on Saturday when they host Chippa United at King Zwelithini Stadium.