Durban City FC has dismissed as premature an announcement from Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli that their CAF Confederation Cup group stage matches will be played in Libya. Club chairman Farook Kadodia confirmed a proposal is on the table but stressed no decision has been made, with the club's domestic league status the primary concern.

Kadodia responded directly to the Libyan club's statement, which claimed both Group B fixtures between the sides would be hosted in Libya. "It's all premature stories they're making," Kadodia said. "The thing is that they made a proposal to us. We haven't even thought about it."

The chairman explained the club is in a delicate balancing act, weighing the continental challenge against its precarious position in the Premier Soccer League. Durban City currently sit 13th in the standings with just seven points from nine matches, having lost their last two league games. "But yes, I want to consider it simply because I want to see what the benefits are first and whether my team is geared up for it," Kadodia added. "If my team is geared up for it and we are going to fight to win in all the games, then it's important."

Group of Death challenge

Durban City were drawn into a tough Confederation Cup Group B alongside Al Ahli Tripoli, Moroccan giants AS FAR, and Tanzanian side Azam. The group stage begins at the end of November with an away trip to Morocco, followed by a home fixture against Azam in early December. The scheduled clashes with Al Ahli Tripoli are set for mid-December and early January. The club is consulting with its players and technical staff, with a final decision on the venue proposal expected by the weekend due to CAF deadlines.

The logistical and sporting challenge is compounded by Durban City's recent form. Their last outing was a 4-1 defeat to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on October 31, a result that leaves them 19 points off the summit. The club must handle this demanding schedule while also contending with an Al Ahli Tripoli squad that includes South African forward Fagrie Lakay and DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele. The final decision on where Durban City will host its continental matches rests on this weekend's internal deliberations.

Background and full detail: soccerladuma.co.za