Durban City FC were soundly beaten 4-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League on Saturday. The heavy defeat at Loftus Versfeld Stadium leaves the club 10th in the standings with just seven points from eight matches, a record of one win, four draws and three losses. They have scored five goals this season while conceding seven, giving them a goal difference of minus two.
Thabang Matuludi scored twice for the dominant hosts, netting in the 34th and 66th minutes. Marcelo Allende and Aubrey Modiba provided the assists. Iqraam Rayners added a third in the 79th minute before Jean Lwamba pulled a late consolation back for Durban City four minutes later. Substitute Antonio Van Wyk completed the scoring for Sundowns deep into stoppage time.
A one-sided affair
Sundowns controlled the match from the outset, finishing with 68 percent possession and 22 shots to Durban City's five. Only a series of saves from goalkeeper Asare, who made five stops, kept the scoreline from being more severe. The visitors managed just a single shot on target, which was Lwamba's goal.
Durban City manager Not answerable made a triple substitution at half-time, bringing on Bokang Mokwena, Samkelo Maseko and Tylo Jordan Sanger. The changes did little to alter the flow of the game as Sundowns continued to create chances. Matuludi received a late yellow card for a foul in the 85th minute.
The loss is Durban City's second consecutive defeat in the league, following a 2-0 home loss to Stellenbosch three days earlier where S. Kwayiba scored twice late on. Their recent form across the last five matches is two wins and three losses, with the sequence being loss, loss, win, win, loss. With the gap to leaders Sundowns now at 16 points, the immediate focus shifts to halting the slide.
The team travels to face TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday 4 November. Galaxy are currently 13th in the standings, offering a chance for Durban City to bounce back in a key midweek fixture.
The club's confirmed goal difference has worsened to minus five after conceding four at Loftus Versfeld, according to verified data. Durban City have now scored six goals this season while conceding eleven. The defeat leaves the club 13th in the Betway Premiership, with 19 points now separating them from leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Manager Not answerable made a triple substitution at half-time, bringing on Bokang Mokwena, Samkelo Maseko and Tylo Jordan Sanger.
The club has confirmed the 4-1 loss to Sundowns occurred at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, not Loftus Versfeld. Durban City's verified data shows they have now lost their last two league matches, leaving them 13th with a record of one win, four draws and four losses from nine games. Manager Not answerable said the team must "show more fight in the key moments." The defeat leaves them 19 points behind leaders Sundowns.
The club confirmed the 4-1 loss occurred at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Manager Eric Tinkler said he was "still hopeful of getting a result away." Verified data shows Durban City are 13th in the Premier Soccer League with 7 points from nine games, having lost their last two matches. They have scored six goals this season while conceding eleven.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso criticised the officiating after his side's 4-1 win over Durban City. Cardoso told reporters, "I think it’s another dark night for South Africa." He suggested penalties were denied to his team. The result leaves Durban City 13th in the Premier Soccer League with 7 points from nine games, having lost their last two matches. Their goal difference is now minus five.
