Durban City FC aim to advance in the CAF Confederation Cup when they meet ASPL 2000 again this Sunday. The second preliminary round, second leg tie kicks off at 15:00 local time on October 25, 2026.
Building on a win
The South African side will be buoyed by their recent 3-1 victory over the same opponent just a week ago on October 18. That result provided a welcome boost after a 1-2 league defeat to Amazulu on October 13, a match in which Domingo scored their consolation goal in the 72nd minute. Durban City currently sit 10th in the Premier Soccer League with 7 points from eight matches, having recorded just one win, four draws, and three losses. Their overall goal difference stands at minus two, having scored five and conceded seven. A position they will be keen to improve upon after the continental fixture, especially as they trail the league leaders by a significant 16 points.
Their recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two losses from their last five outings across all competitions.
Recent context
Before the win over ASPL 2000, Durban City had drawn 1-1 with Milford FC in September and suffered a 2-0 loss to Orlando Pirates. The squad that secured the 3-1 victory last week included goalkeeper F. Asare, defenders B. Shandu, S. Ncanana, M. Mkhize, and J. Mokone, with midfield and attacking duties handled by K. Jurgens, B. Poggenpoel, S. Maseko, E. Brooks, L. Sifumba, and Jean Lwamba. Progress in the Confederation Cup would offer a positive distraction from their domestic league standing, where they trail the summit by 16 points. Their focus will then quickly turn to a daunting domestic task, as their next league fixture is away against the table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday 1 November.
Head coach Eric Tinkler said his side could have taken a bigger advantage from their 3-1 first-leg win over AS Port Louis 2000. "I'm happy with the win, but not entirely happy with the result. We were very wasteful," Tinkler stated. He identified a lapse in concentration after their second goal, scored by Gastón Sirino in the 46th minute on October 18, as avoidable. The team's recent form across all competitions is WLDLW.
Head coach Eric Tinkler confirmed the scorers in the 3-1 first-leg win were Haashim Domingo, Gastón Sirino and Tashreeq Morris. Tinkler said his team's complacency after the second goal was costly. "From complacency comes wastefulness," the coach stated. He also stressed the importance of squad competition, preferring a group of 26 to 28 players. Durban City, 10th in the Premier Soccer League with 7 points, now prepare for the return leg.
AS Port Louis 2000 coach Etienne Liva Rasoanaivo said his team's travel schedule was a factor in their defeat. "We only landed on Friday," Rasoanaivo stated. He described the 3-1 loss to the Nedbank Cup champions as a learning curve for his young side. Durban City, 10th in the Premier Soccer League, now hold a significant advantage for the second leg.
Head coach Eric Tinkler confirmed his team's lack of natural wingers is forcing a tactical adaptation. "Where we kind of lack in our squad is we don’t really have natural wingers," Tinkler said. He stated he is adapting the team to a different system, which requires improved tactical organisation. The coach added that the team's technical quality is high, but they must raise their standard for continental competition. Durban City, 10th in the Premier Soccer League with 7 points, hold a two-goal advantage for the second leg.
Head coach Eric Tinkler said his team's complacency after scoring their second goal was costly. "That’s complacency you can’t allow in this competition," Tinkler stated. He confirmed the 3-1 first-leg win over AS Port Louis 2000 on October 18 was secured by goals from Hashim Domingo, Gaston Sirino and a Tashreeq Morris penalty. Durban City, 10th in the Premier Soccer League with 7 points, now hold a two-goal advantage for the return leg.
