Pitso Dladla reflects on interim role as Durban City begin life after Badela

Durban City interim coach Pitso Dladla has opened up about stepping back into the hot seat, following the departure of Sinethemba Badela, insisting continuity and player attitude have been key to the club’s recent success.

Dladla took charge of his second match of the season on Friday night, having previously served in an interim capacity in December, when the club parted ways with Gavin Hunt. On both occasions, he has delivered positive results, maintaining a perfect record in spite of his temporary status.

City secured their eighth victory of the campaign in the Betway Premiership with a clinical win over TS Galaxy at the Chatsworth Stadium. The result marked an encouraging response from the squad in their first outing since Badela’s dismissal.

Despite the triumph, the Premiership debutants remain sixth on the table, two points adrift of third-placed Kaizer Chiefs. With the race for the top positions intensifying, Dladla’s steady hand could prove vital in the coming weeks.

Reflecting on his approach, the former Richards Bay FC mentor downplayed suggestions of sweeping tactical adjustments.

“I didn’t really change much to be honest,” he said. 

“It’s simply the attitude of the players. We have a good squad of disciplined men and professionals at that. If you are able to connect with them, they’ll keep performing.”

The coach emphasised that performances, rather than just results, remain central to the team’s progress. 

While pleased with the win, he stressed that the display itself was equally satisfying.

“Sometimes the results don’t match the performance because sometimes we look at wins and not performances. Even if we had drawn this game, we would have been pleased because of how we played,” he explained.

City’s next assignment in the league is an away clash against Marumo Gallants on March 1, where they will aim to build momentum and secure back-to-back league victories. Attention will now quickly shift to the Nedbank Cup — where City face Upington City on a date yet to be confirmed — as the domestic schedule intensifies.

For Dladla, the experience of stepping into the role once again underscores the unpredictable nature of football management.

“It’s the nature of the job, I guess,” he said. 

“It’s understanding your role as a coach and playing it the way you need to. If you are needed to step in, you do that well. Having a good heart contributes as well — always wishing others well and waiting for your own opportunity to come through.”

He also credited the senior players for helping stabilise the dressing room during the transition period, noting that leadership within the squad has made his task easier. 

According to Dladla, the unity shown on and off the pitch reflects a group determined to prove that their position near the top half of the table is no coincidence, but the product of consistent work since the start of the season.

As Durban City navigate a crucial stretch of their debut top-flight campaign, Dladla’s calm leadership and belief in his squad’s professionalism may yet keep their upward trajectory intact.