Exciting times for Durban City with 'energetic' Gallants waiting in Nedbank Cup

EXCITING times for Durban City head coach Simo Dladla and his team with the prospects of the Nedbank Cup semi finals carrying with a possibility of Caf football next season.

In the quarter-finals of the 2025 Nedbank Cup are Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC - all prospective Top3 finishers in the Betway Premiership and Ke Yona semi finalists, although they still have to go past SuperSport United, Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs respectively.

Even though that is a lot for City to go their way, Dladla admits it does bring about excitement in the camp.

“I have thought about that but honestly, I did not think that deeply about it,’ the prospects of African football next season.

“It was just a thought. However, it will give us more reason to do well (against Gallants). Personally, as a coach I am ready having gone all the way to Botswana for my A Licence (Caf A coaching Licence). It was for such reasons that when an opportunity like this comes around, I should be ready for it.

 “I felt it was such an embarrassing thing that as a coach you take a team that far but end up watching from the stands with fans. So when that comes (Caf football), I will be ready.”

That is not all on Dladla’s plate with his side boasting a six-point gap at the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship, the next two months might just bring about sleepless nights as Premiership promotion looms large. 

“I must say that I am actually sleeping really easy because with Real Kings I have finished at number four and with Richards Bay at number three,’ said Dladla. 

“Better yet, I have by my side someone like Pitso, who has done it (Pitso Dladla promoted Uthongathi FC co-coaching with Ronnie Gabriel who is current coach at Richard Bay) before and so he brings with, some invaluable knowledge.”

This weekend though, Nedbank takes precedence as they host Gallants at Chatsworth Stadium, in Durban on Sunday at 3pm.

“We only started today (on Wednesday to train). Players had been off due to the heavy travelling in the past two weeks as we went to Baroka (in Limpopo where they lost 2-1) and then Hungry Lions (in Northern Cape where they won 2-1),” said Dladla.

“We may have done something like 60km on the road and you could see the players were tired, especially in the game against Hungry Lions.

“All should go well though because the only worry is, which is a big worry, is Senzo Ndlovu. He was also not available against Hungry Lions because of the knock he got in training. He’s still not back and that has me worried.”

Against Gallants, Dladla is expecting a different side with their coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to be in charge of his second match in the Bloemfontein-based team.

“From Gallants we are expecting a very changed side. They are no longer knocking the ball around (as would Dan Malesela-coached teams). Now their game is based more on physicality. They’re very physical now. They play with a lot of energy and they fight but we will plan well and if the players execute it (the plan) well, I think we can win it.” said Dladla.