Durban City head coach Khalil Ben Youssef says a ruthless mentality is still being implemented within the squad as the club holds an ambition to continue to achieve more.
City won the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the 2024/25 season and went on to finish inside the top-eight and win the Nedbank Cup in their first season in the top-flight since the rebrand from Maritzburg United.
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Despite only one win in the opening six games so far, they have advanced to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers and have been statistically one of the top three sides in chances created and top three best defensive records in terms of chances conceded.
While there’s a clear metric in terms of conversion lacking this season, Ben Youssef opened up on the mindset that is needed for them to maintain their progress as a club.
“From the first meeting that we discussed with the player, we said one thing; there’s no small team, there’s no big team. The only thing you need to do is to work, improve yourself and always have objectives in your career to be the best player in the league,” Ben Youssef said.
“If you have this kind of mentality, you can continue to work with us, if you don’t have this mentality, you can leave the team, because you don’t have a place with us. Fortunately for us, all the players answered they are ready.
“We are working well, making a lot of meetings with the players, individual meetings, trying to help the team, trying to introduce the new philosophy, the new mentality, new mindset for the team – I think in this point, until this moment have succeeded with the team.
“The game plan, the team is playing with character, even changing the systems, the team doesn’t struggle – and it’s something that comes with work, that’s something I’m proud of with the technical staff during this period. Unfortunately, sometimes the results don’t show what we’re doing and what we’re working on.
“Count how many 1v1s with the keeper and open goals we have missed, we deserve to be third or number two in the league. But the reality now – we have to work to find solutions for the chances we creating and not scoring.”
City will face provincial rivals Milford FC in their last league outing before the upcoming FIFA International Break.
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