“The Game Became Physical” – Why Pitso Sacrificed League Points For Cup Final Safety
Durban City coach Pitso Dladla expressed relief after avoiding further suspensions ahead of the Nedbank Cup final, with several key players coming through their draw against Orbit College unscathed in the Betway Premiership.
Crucially, Mfanafuthi Mkhize—who suffered a rib injury during the semi-final against Casric Stars in March—returned to action in last weekend’s 5–2 defeat to Magesi FC.
Mkhize, one of City’s standout defenders this season, captained the side against the bottom-placed team at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday.
City were without regular captain Sphamandla Ncanana due to suspension. However, Ncanana is set to return for the final against TS Galaxy at the Peter Mokaba Stadium next weekend.
Kyle Jurgens received an early yellow card in the first half against Orbit, prompting Dladla to substitute him in the second half to avoid further disciplinary risk.
Terrence Mashego was also withdrawn at left-back under similar circumstances, while Fezile Gcaba managed to complete the match despite entering the game with three yellow cards—one more would have ruled him out of the final.
Dladla, whose side had lost their previous three matches, admitted that ending the losing streak was less important than ensuring his squad avoided suspensions ahead of the final.
“For us, we were not overly focused on the next game,” said Dladla.
“But I’ll be honest—we were very cautious regarding yellow cards. Fezile Gcaba was already on three. When Kyle Jurgens received an early booking, and Mashego was also cautioned, we had to think carefully as a technical team. That’s why we made those changes.
“It’s why we took off Jurgens and Mashego. The game became physical, and another booking could have resulted in a suspension, causing them to miss the final.”
City’s main priority remains the “Ke Yona Cup,” as they chase their first major trophy in the PSL era. The club previously finished as runners-up in the 2017/18 Nedbank Cup, losing to Free State Stars in Cape Town, and in the 2019/20 Telkom Knockout, where they were beaten by Mamelodi Sundowns.
At the time of those finals, the club was known as Maritzburg United, before rebranding to Durban City ahead of last season.
