Badela’s modern touch shows early promise in Durban City’s win over Rise and Shine

COMMENT

If there were any nerves at Durban City after the high-profile departure of head coach Gavin Hunt, Sinethemba Badela has settled them in the space of 90 minutes.

Making his competitive debut at the helm on Sunday, the former Chippa United coach guided City to a gritty 1-0 victory over Polokwane City at Chatsworth Stadium that vaulted them into sixth place, proving that the club’s mid-season "technical restructuring" might be more than just football jargon.

While Hunt brought a trophy-laden CV, the Durban City hierarchy opted for Badela’s "modern and progressive" approach to align with their long-term goals. The result against Polokwane – courtesy of an early strike by Trevor Mokwena – showed a team that was disciplined, structured, and capable of holding its nerve under pressure.

They pressed and harried the opposition with a high-intensity game until the 90th minute, were defensively solid, and showed the ability to adapt their approach and go over the top when their opponents overloaded the midfield.

Badela isn't flying solo; the return of Ernst Middendorp as technical director provides a seasoned safety net. This partnership was on full display as the Citizens successfully navigated a tricky fixture against a Polokwane side that had been sitting comfortably above them in the table.

A debut win doesn’t guarantee a trophy, but it does buy something even more valuable in the Betway Premiership: time and belief. Having achieved so much already in a matter of weeks, there is no telling how far Badela can take the Citizens with a lot more of both.