Durban City FC will face Richards Bay FC in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals after marking their tournament debut with a commanding 4-1 extra-time victory over Polokwane City at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday evening.
The draw sets up a KwaZulu-Natal derby in the next round, with date, venue, and kick-off time to be confirmed by the PSL.
Head Coach Gavin Hunt welcomed the return of Friday night football as his side progressed in style, with Fezile Gcaba emerging as the hero with a decisive hat-trick on the night.
“I’ve always enjoyed Friday nights,” Hunt reflected. “I won leagues playing Friday night football. It creates a special vibe that people enjoy, and may it long continue here.”
The coach’s satisfaction extended to his team’s performance after a hard-fought contest that saw the sides level 1-1 after ninety minutes.
“It was a good performance overall, good attacking football, good speed, good pressing,” Hunt noted. “We created great chances and delivered an entertaining display for our supporters.”
While pleased with the result, Hunt admitted to frustration at conceding a late equalizer in regulation time.
“I was disappointed when they scored with two minutes remaining,” he said. “We had opportunities to finish the game earlier, particularly in the first half where our football was excellent, even if the final connection was sometimes missing.”
The veteran coach reserved special praise for hat-trick hero Gcaba, emphasizing the importance of character in his squad.
“He’s a good guy with excellent character, and that’s crucial for us,” Hunt stated. “He has the right mentality, which is what I look for in players.”
The victory not only secures Durban City’s place in the quarter-finals but also perfectly launches the club’s Friday Night Lights initiative, combining a statement cup performance with the electric atmosphere in the stands.
