Durban City’s Trophy Star Threatened with CAF Suspension
Chairman Farook Kadodia is confronted with a major off-season challenge for Durban City following the club’s momentous victory in the Nedbank Cup, especially concerning the team’s leadership for the upcoming season.
Interim coach Pitso Dladla, who led the team to its Nedbank Cup win against TS Galaxy last weekend, is not eligible to officially serve as head coach in the next season’s CAF Confederation Cup due to licensing requirements.
Having stepped in as caretaker twice this season after the club parted ways with the previous coach, Dladla has now earned the title of the most accomplished 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 failed to secure a trophy.
In contrast, Dladla achieved what they could not by steering the team to its first major trophy, despite lacking the requisite CAF coaching credentials.
Dladla’s absence of a CAF A Licence, essential for head coaches in CAF competitions, bars him from officially coaching during the Confederation Cup matches.
Since 2022, CAF regulations have mandated that head coaches must hold either a CAF Pro Licence or at least a CAF A Licence, while assistant coaches need a minimum of a CAF B Licence.
This implies that Dladla, who holds a CAF B Licence, could be registered as an assistant coach and partake in official club activities, but he would not be permitted to sit on the bench as head coach unless he obtains the necessary qualifications.
In response to inquiries about potentially taking on the position permanently, Dladla has expressed his desire to pursue a CAF A Licence.
The crucial question is: how will the club tackle this dilemma as they gear up for the next season?
“We will address all CAF qualification matters. Whatever it takes, we will confront it and find a solution,” Kadodia stated to Sportswire during the club’s gala dinner at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani on Sunday.
The gala dinner not only honored the club’s Nedbank Cup victory but also saw attendance from officials, including Kadodia, players, and technical staff members.
Among the guests were the club’s sponsors, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, along with KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.
Additionally, the club needs to identify a suitable venue for their CAF matches, as Chatsworth Stadium does not comply with the requirements for the upcoming competition.
However, this issue is deemed relatively minor compared to the coaching licence challenge, as Moses Mabhida Stadium is available and fully adheres to CAF regulations.
Meanwhile, City is aiming for a top-eight finish in the league, currently positioned seventh with 38 points from 28 matches.
With only two matches remaining, they are set to encounter title contenders Orlando Pirates at Orlando Amstel Arena on May 16, before wrapping up their season at home against AmaZulu FC on May 23.
A draw in either of their final two matches should secure a top-eight finish.
