Durban City FC made history on Saturday, securing a place in the 2026 Nedbank Cup final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Casric Stars at Chatsworth Stadium.
In a thrilling encounter that saw the top-flight “Citizens” take on the tournament’s ultimate underdog, a solitary early mistake proved to be the decisive factor. The win brought an end to Casric Stars’ remarkable cup run, which had seen them knock out the giants Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu in previous rounds.
Early Drama Settles the Tie
The match kicked off with high intensity as Durban City sought to assert their Premiership dominance. In the 6th minute, the breakthrough came when Terrence Mashego sent in a sizzling cross from the right wing. Casric Stars’ defender, Sphamandla Mlilo, under pressure, inadvertently sent the ball into his own net, leaving goalkeeper Wandile Mthombeni stranded.
Despite the early setback, the “Giant Killers” refused to bow out quietly. True to their reputation for resilience, Casric Stars began to grow into the game, with Decide Chauke emerging as a constant threat to the City defense.
Missed Opportunities for the Underdogs
Looking back, Casric Stars will feel they had their chances to equalize. Chauke, in particular, had several golden opportunities:
- In the 28th minute, a powerful header flashed just wide of the post.
- In the 58th minute, a crucial block by Siphamandla Ncanana denied him what seemed a certain equalizer.
- The biggest chance came in the 78th minute when Chauke found himself one-on-one with veteran goalkeeper Darren Keet, only to send his shot wide of the target.
Durban City, for their part, had opportunities to extend their lead. Jean Lwamba, in particular, came close, but City’s inability to capitalize on their chances kept the game in the balance right until the final whistle.
A Historic Milestone for the Citizens
For Durban City—formerly known as Maritzburg United—this represents a significant milestone in their new chapter. While the club reached the final in 2018 (losing to Free State Stars), this will be their first appearance in the Ke Yona final since relocating to Durban. Interim coach Pitso Dladla, who took charge in February, has now steered the team through a perfect cup run, which has complemented their impressive league form, where they currently sit fifth in the Betway Premiership.
Looking Ahead to the Final
The Citizens will now await the winner of the second semifinal between TS Galaxy and Milford FC, scheduled for Sunday, April 5, at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. With another second-tier side (Milford) still in contention, fans are excited at the prospect of a David vs. Goliath final on May 2. However, for now, all eyes are on Durban City as they prepare to chase their first major piece of silverware.
Final Score: Durban City 1 – 0 Casric Stars
Man of the Match: Siphamandla Ncanana (Durban City)
