City were punished early when a misjudged moment at the back involving experienced goalkeeper Darren Keet gifted Chippa the lead, with midfielder Sinoxolo Kwayiba capitalising to open the scoring.

Kwayiba completed his brace midway through the second half after City were caught out defensively once again.

Badela says his team struggled to control possession and lacked sharpness in execution.

"I don't think we had a good game, we were not ourselves. We couldn't keep the ball long enough, our passes were not good but okay. Then the first 35 minutes the opposition has got no chances at all and then we make an individual error and then the opposition gets a goal and it's 1-0,” Badela said.

“Now you have to chase to open up a little bit and then the opposition now gets two good chances, Keet makes the saves."

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The second goal effectively ended City’s hopes of a comeback and gave Chippa renewed confidence as they continue to battle near the foot of the table in their fight to avoid relegation.

Badela says conceding twice made the contest far more demanding for his charges.

"And then in the second half you come with a little bit of a fight, the boys are pushing and then it's another individual error, it becomes 2-0 and the game becomes really difficult. Now you are chasing and then the opposition has got players that are very good on the counterattack, so, you are playing against that,” the coach added.

The two sides will meet again on Friday night when Durban City host Chippa United at Chatsworth Stadium in a Nedbank Cup last-32 encounter.

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