Durban City FC’s DStv Diski Challenge side announced their arrival in the Premier Soccer League’s reserve league with a thrilling, character-filled 3-3 draw against Orlando Pirates this past Saturday.
Despite the challenge of assembling a squad in a short time, coach Daine Klate was full of praise for his young team’s debut performance at the Hammarsdale Stadium, which was headlined by a first-half hat-trick from Lindokuhle Chonco.
Reflecting on the rapid build-up to the season, Klate was quick to deflect praise, emphasising the collective effort behind the scenes. “How did we assemble this in such a short period of time? I have a lot of good people around me,” Klate stated.
“There are people behind the scenes who helped me put the team together; the people of the club and I have to thank them. That’s not my work alone.”
The coach highlighted the club’s strategic relationships with local academies, including the KZN Football Academy and other local academies, as the key pipeline for talent.
This network allows players to progress naturally into the league set-up. For many in the squad, the match was a significant step up. “This was a learning experience for some of them; it was their first time at this level,” Klate explained. “I’m really proud of them.”
While proud of the point earned against a heavyweight opponent, Klate is under no illusions about the path ahead, viewing the Diski Challenge as the crucial final stage of a player’s development.
“I think we’ve got a long way to go, but we can be proud of ourselves and look forward to a very good season,” he said.
For Klate, the league serves a dual purpose: it is both about results and the larger development of the club, creating a pathway to the first team.
However, he stresses that this is level where players must learn the winning mentality required for the top flight.
“This is the final stage of development for these players, where you need to teach them about winning and getting results,” he said.
“When they go to the Betway Premiership, it is all about results. This is the final step to make the
jump to the PSL, where you have to win football matches. So my aim and duty is to help them technically.”
Looking forward, Klate expressed excitement about the project, citing the group’s positive attitude as a foundation for growth. “I’m excited to work with them. It is a good group of boys with a good attitude and good mentality. They are willing to learn, which is exciting for me.”
The draw against Pirates is a promising start, but for Coach Klate and his team, it is merely the first step on a much longer journey.
The team’s next outing is a home fixture against TS Galaxy Reserves at the Chatsworth Stadium on 13 September.
