Durban City FC Coach Praised for Referee Performance

Durban City FC Coach Makes Surprise Admission After Pirates Loss

Durban City FC head coach Khalil Ben Youssef praised match referee Jelly Chavani following their narrow 2-1 extra-time defeat against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 quarter-finals at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers became the first team to book a spot in the last four of the 2026 MTN8, keeping their ambitions alive of winning the trophy for five consecutive seasons after claiming the top-eight title in each of the past four campaigns.

Pirates secured the hard-fought victory through goals from Patrick Maswanganyi and Gamphani Lungu, while Jean Lwamba netted for the KwaZulu-Natal-based side.

Brooklyn Poggenpoel Blunder Shifts Momentum

A key talking point from the encounter was a lapse in concentration from Durban City's Brooklyn Poggenpoel. The defender mistimed his tackle inside the penalty area and brought down Tshepang Moremi, handing the Sea Robbers a crucial penalty that altered the flow of the match.

Despite the heartbreak of an extra-time exit, Ben Youssef chose to focus on the quality of officiating rather than the frustration of defeat. Referees in the PSL frequently draw heavy criticism from technical benches, but the Durban City coach offered rare, glowing praise for Chavani’s firm control over a heated knockout clash.

"We complain sometimes, but I have to congratulate the referee for how he controlled the game," said Ben Youssef. "I have been here in South Africa for two years, and this is one of the best refereeing performances I have seen in the two years. He managed the game well."

What Comes Next for Durban City FC?

While Durban City bow out of the season-opening cup competition, their spirited display against the four-time defending champions provides a solid platform ahead of their upcoming league campaign. League standing: 13th in Premier Soccer League, 0 pts, 0W-0D-1L from 1 games, recent form L. Goals this season: 0 scored, 1 conceded (-1 goal difference). Title race: 3 points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs.