Durban City FC returns to Betway Premiership action this weekend with a clash against Richards Bay FC at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Sunday, 23 November, buoyed by a morale-boosting victory before the international break.
The team secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in their last outing, a result defender Terence Mashego believes was crucial for the squad’s belief.
“That was an important win, especially after a rough phase,” Mashego said.
“We needed that result to lift the spirits in the camp and remind ourselves of the quality we have. The confidence is much higher now, and there’s a real sense of momentum again. The timing was perfect, allowing us to go into the break with belief.”
The two sides met in the quarter-finals of the Carling Knock-out Cup last month. It was a thrilling encounter which ended in favour of the Natal Rich Boys.
Reflecting on the previous encounter with Richards Bay, which ended in a late concession, Mashego acknowledged the lessons learned.
“The last Richards Bay game was very difficult. The conditions were extreme, and even with an early goal. The lesson was simple: we need to be more clinical, more disciplined, and manage the game better.”
He says the squad’s approach for the rematch has evolved.
“This time around, the approach is more mature. We’ve studied what we did wrong, we’ve fixed certain things, and we are stepping into this match with a clearer identity and a stronger mentality. We are not going there just to compete; we are going to take control and change the story.”
Mashego detailed how the international break was used to sharpen the team’s fundamentals, focusing on defensive structure, transitions, and composure in the final third.
“We’ve worked a lot on our physical conditioning and our mental focus. Sometimes after a rough phase, the main thing you need to reset is the mind, and we did exactly that. The squad looks fresh, more connected, and everyone understands their roles.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s fixture, the defender identified the keys to a positive result.
“The deciding factor will be the intensity we set and our team discipline understanding the moments to attack and the moments to defend.”
Our decision-making in the final third is critical; we create the chances, now we must be clinical. Richards Bay is a team that doesn’t give up easily, so we must create our own momentum. We are ready, the belief is back, and everyone understands what this game means,” Mashego said.
