Durban City FC head coach Khalil Ben Youssef praised his side’s performance across both legs of their CAF Confederation Cup First Preliminary Round tie after the Citizens secured a 2–1 victory over Rukinzo FC in Burundi on Sunday.
The victory completed a 3–1 aggregate win for City, who progressed to the Second Preliminary Round of the CAF Confederation Cup in their first-ever continental campaign.
Having taken a 1–0 lead from the first leg in Durban, City produced a positive approach in the return fixture and were rewarded with two first-half goals. Kyle Jurgens opened the scoring in the first minute from a Mokone cross, before Maseko doubled the advantage in the 37th minute following a flowing move involving Jurgens and Sirino. Rukinzo pulled a goal back in the second half, but City remained composed to protect their advantage and secure the result.
“It was a good two-leg performance from us. We knew what we had to do after the first leg and the players handled the two games well,” said Ben Youssef.
City’s approach in Burundi was not simply about protecting the advantage gained in the first leg. The Citizens remained positive and looked to impose themselves on the game, eventually taking a two-goal lead before the hosts responded.
“We didn’t come here to sit back and protect the first-leg result. We wanted to play, we wanted to score, and we wanted to win the game, and we did that.” Rukinzo’s second-half goal made for a nervy final period, but City held their shape and managed the closing stages to secure qualification.
“At 2–0 we were in a strong position, but when they scored, we had to stay calm. I thought the players showed good character to manage the game and see it through.”
The result sees Durban City FC advance to the Second Preliminary Round, taking the Club one step further in its first CAF InterClub campaign.
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