Durban City’s Trophy Star Facing CAF Bench Suspension
Chairman Farook Kadodia is faced with a significant off-season challenge for Durban City after the club’s historic triumph in the Nedbank Cup, particularly regarding the team’s leadership for the upcoming season.
Interim coach Pitso Dladla, who guided the club to its Nedbank Cup victory against TS Galaxy last weekend, is ineligible to serve officially as head coach during the next season’s CAF Confederation Cup due to licensing restrictions.
Having held the caretaker role twice this season following the end of the club’s association with the previous coach, Dladla is now regarded as the most successful manager in the club’s history, surpassing both Fadlu Davids and Eric Tinkler.
While Davids and Tinkler both reached cup finals—the Nedbank Cup in the 2017/18 season and the Carling Knockout Cup in the 2019/20 season—they ultimately fell short of winning a trophy.
In contrast, Dladla has achieved what they could not by leading the team to its first significant trophy, despite not possessing the necessary CAF coaching qualifications.
Dladla’s lack of a CAF A Licence, which is essential for head coaches in CAF competitions, prevents him from officially coaching during the Confederation Cup matches.
Since 2022, CAF regulations have required that head coaches must possess either a CAF Pro Licence or at least a CAF A Licence, while assistant coaches must hold a minimum of a CAF B Licence.
This means that Dladla, who has a CAF B Licence, could be registered as an assistant coach and participate in official club activities, but he would be unable to sit on the bench as head coach unless he acquires the necessary qualifications.
In light of inquiries about potentially taking on the role permanently, Dladla has expressed his intention to pursue a CAF A Licence.
The pivotal question is: how will the club address this challenge as they prepare for the upcoming season?
“We will navigate all CAF qualification issues. Whatever it takes, we will tackle it and find a resolution,” Kadodia remarked to Sportswire at the club’s gala dinner held at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani on Sunday.
The gala dinner not only celebrated the club’s Nedbank Cup triumph but was also attended by officials, including Kadodia, players, and technical staff members.
Among the attendees were the club’s sponsors, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, along with KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.
Moreover, the club must identify a suitable venue for their CAF matches, as Chatsworth Stadium does not meet the requirements for the upcoming competition.
However, unlike the coaching licence challenge, this issue is considered relatively minor, as Moses Mabhida Stadium is available and fully meets CAF regulations.
Meanwhile, City is striving for a top-eight finish in the league, currently sitting seventh with 38 points from 28 matches.
With only two matches left, they are set to face title-chasers Orlando Pirates at Orlando Amstel Arena on May 16, before concluding their season at home against AmaZulu FC on May 23.
A draw in either of their final two matches should ensure a top-eight finish.
