Three rounds, three penalty shootouts, three wins. Durban City are heading into the semi-finals against Casric Stars with momentum, belief, and a massive point to prove. As captain Siphamandla Ncanana puts it: "We played hard ... we should be here." Photo: Backpageix
Image: Backpagepix
Durban City captain Siphamandla Ncanana admitted their run to the Nedbank Cup semi-final has taken the squad by surprise, but conceded it is a reward for months of hard work.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s clash with Casric Stars (kick-off 3pm), the 25-year-old centre-back reflected on a journey few outside the club would have predicted.
Durban City’s route to the last four has been defined by grit, fine margins and an uncanny ability to hold their nerve at the death of a match. Their quarter-final clash against Golden Arrows perfectly captured that identity.
Locked at 1-1 after extra-time in a fiercely contested KwaZulu-Natal derby, City once again found themselves staring down a penalty shootout — their third in as many rounds. They held firm to win 5-4, despite being reduced to 10 men for a large portion of the game.
“It really came as a shock to all of us but also we played so hard this season so we should be here. I think it's also a big honour to stand here right now. All the players and the club itself are proud of this," said Ncanana.
City’s ability to absorb pressure and convert limited opportunities has become a defining trait of their campaign. Goalkeeper Darren Keet has emerged as a standout performer, producing multiple saves across regulation and extra-time to keep his side in contention before playing a key role in the shootout.
"This is massive for the entire club, to be out in a semi-final during our first season. I wouldn't say it's beyond our expectations because we demand a lot from ourselves, so we do expect to be here, but I think for the club as a whole it's pretty good," Keet said.
For many in the squad, this is their first taste of a semi-final at this level, something Ncanana believes adds an extra layer of hunger. The skipper has enjoyed a good season at the back, especially at home at Chatsworth Stadium.
“For most of the players, this is the first time experiencing a semi-final in this competition,” he said, warning that Stars will come at them with “everything they have.”
Defender Terrence Mashego, who lifted the trophy with TS Galaxy in 2019, is one of the few players in the squad to have made a cap final run and he revealed he will lean on that experience to inspire belief within himself and the club.
“This cup is not reserved for the big teams. We kept reminding the team of that,” Mashego said. “So, it’s possible for anyone to win this thing.”
While the players dare to dream, head coach Pitso Dladla remained measured and didn't indulge much in title talk. Dladla seldom shows emotion on the pitch, even during match days; to some extent, it is a virtue that helps compose the team.
“We are focused on the game at hand,” he said.
"For now, we are going on with our normal prep and analysis. But in terms of how we approach the game, I think we'll decide that on match day."
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch.