Durban City's Mfanafuthi Mkhize is eager to build on their Caf Confederation Cup success and make a deep run in the Carling Knockout. The team will face Stellenbosch FC in the Last 16 at Chatsworth Stadium in Thekwini tonight at 7 pm. City recently made history by advancing to the group stage of the Caf Confederation Cup, having previously overcome Port Louis of Mauritius 6-1 on aggregate.
City's journey in the Caf Confederation Cup was marked by a 3-0 win in the second leg against Port Louis at Cote d'Or National Sports Complex in Saint Pierre, Mauritius, on Sunday. This victory sealed their spot in the group stage, a first for the club in this competition. However, their performance in the Betway Premiership has been inconsistent, with only one win in eight matches this season and no home wins at Chatsworth Stadium.
Mkhize emphasized the importance of translating their Caf Confederation Cup success to the domestic league. "We started well in the Caf Confederation and it's exciting to move forward in this competition. But we also understand that we haven't done well in league matches, which we need to fix quickly. The motivation from our Caf Confederation performance should inspire us to do the same in our local league and cup matches," he said.
City will face a tough challenge against Stellenbosch FC, who have been performing well in the league. Mkhize acknowledged that the upcoming match won't be easy, citing a recent 0-0 draw against Stellenbosch in the league. "We know what to expect from them because we played them recently in the league and it was a draw," he noted.
Last season, City won seven home matches in all competitions, which helped them go far in the Nedbank Cup, which they ultimately won. Mkhize stressed the need to revive their home form. "Our home winless streak is a big challenge that we need to overcome in this Carling Knockout match against Stellenbosch. We did well in our home matches last season, so we need to bring that back and make our fans happy as they always come out in numbers to support us," he said.
The match against Stellenbosch FC is crucial for City as they seek to regain their momentum. A win would not only boost their confidence but also provide a much-needed impetus to their season. City's fans will be eager to see their team perform well, especially after a disappointing start to the league season.
Tonight's match will be a test of City's resolve and their ability to respond to challenges. With a tough opponent in Stellenbosch FC, City will need to be at their best to secure a win and progress in the Carling Knockout. The team's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as they seek to make a statement in the competition.
Key points
- Durban City is seeking to end their home win drought against Stellenbosch FC in the Carling Knockout Last 16 tonight at Chatsworth Stadium.
