Dladla reflects on Durban City ending KZN’s near 20-year trophy drought

This was all it took for Durban City to rewrite the history books this past weekend, as they beat TS Galaxy 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Coming from a goal down to score two goals in the second half and lift the trophy, the script had been written in the stars. But head coach Pitso Dladla says their focus was not on the records.

"To us, luckily, I think if we looked at it that way, we would have put ourselves under unnecessary pressure. To say it's been 17 years, since a team from KZN won. But with the leadership that we've got, it's only now that I've realised our chairman was advising us that we must not look at that," said Dladla

READ: Bernard Parker admits TS Galaxy undone by familiar flaws in Nedbank final loss

"We must treat this cup final in isolation because that will bring pressure that maybe we would not be able to control. But the cup I would say it means a lot to the team, Durban City, for several reasons. One, a newly promoted team. We've just revived the name Durban City. We've just relocated to Durban. Yes, KZN has been running throughout in terms of the cup."

"But it's something that means a lot to everyone in KZN, but not necessarily because of the 17 years. It's more about what is happening currently and all these things that I've mentioned."

"We must treat this cup final in isolation because that will bring pressure that maybe we would not be able to control. But the cup, I would say, means a lot to the team, Durban City, for several reasons. One, a newly promoted team. We've just revived the name Durban City. We've just relocated to Durban. Yes, KZN has been running throughout in terms of the cup."

In a season when they had just returned to top-flight football, rebranded as a Durban team after moving from Pietermaritzburg – City represented their province well and were backed by a small crowd that had accompanied them. The provincial government had played its part in transporting the fans who travelled close to 2000 km to attend this game. This is something Dladla and the team are grateful for.

What also worked in the favour of City in this game was to have a squad of players who have won big trophies at a higher level before. This is the experience that carried the team, especially in the second half. Striker Letsie Koapeng is well-travelled and knew what was expected at the right time.

There’s also a small group of players who are tasting the silverware for the first time, like Ronaldo Maarman, and the excitement of playing in the CAF Confederation Cup is already in the air.