Pressure mounts for Durban City as Nedbank Cup final and Top 8 race loom

Durban City find themselves at crossroads as their eventful first season in the PSL comes to its conclusion. On one hand they have a spot in the final of the Nedbank Cup and on the other, a chance to finish in the Top 8 of the Betway Premiership. 

That's two huge opportunities for a team as green as Durban City, both of which come with immense pressure. And for the first time this season, the Citizens have started look like the pressure is getting to them. 

From failing to create any scoring chances against Sundowns at home, to being outplayed by provincial rivals Golden Arrows, City's recent form suggests a slide in concentration and energy levels. This was evident in the first half of the Arrows encounter; there was simply no intent by the Citizens to move forward or attack. It almost felt as if they did not want to be there.

Fatigue and dips in focus at this point in the season may be real, especially as they are still competing in both the Nedbank Cup and the league. The demanding schedule of playing at the highest level comes with the territory, and they are going to have to learn to embrace it if they want success.

Durban's coach, Pitso Dladla, said his side were not in the right frame of mind in the first half of the KZN derby but looked like a new team in the second 45 minutes. Dladla remarked that it was one of those games where they would love to forget the first half ever happened.

"We did not have the right mentality in the first half or even the right desire. But as bad as we were, we created two scoring opportunities, and those were the only two good things that we did," Dladla explained.

"I believe you also saw we were a different team in the second half. The mentality and desire were there. We started playing the ball around and imposing our style of play.

"I know Golden Arrows had a good few chances also, but we were bound to open up because we were chasing the game."

He added: "It was frustrating, but we need to remember the season is not over.

"We can have a good season, but if we don't finish well, all will be forgotten. Right now, we need to go back to the drawing board and preach the same verse. Because the season is far from over. We need to finish well."

Magesi, Orbit College, and TS Galaxy are up next for Durban, two of which will be played away. It will be imperative that Dladla's side take maximum points from these games should they want to retain their position, as teams like Golden Arrows, Polokwane City, and Stellenbosch United are fighting for a similar middle-order finish.