Durban City's Trevor Mokwena reveals goal preparation secrets after player of the match performance

Trevor Mokwena’s strike against Siwelele in their Betway Premiership match at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday night was more than instinct — it was preparation meeting opportunity which earned him a Player of the Match accolade. 

The Durban City midfielder netted his side’s second goal in a 2-0 win at a rain-soaked Chatsworth Stadium, and later admitted the finish was one he has been rehearsing in training.

“I’ve actually practiced that goal before in training,” Mokwena said.

“Coach told me one of my strengths was shooting from outside the box and that if I got the chance, I should take it. The weather today allowed me to take those shots.”

The goal came early in the second half, when a Haashim Domingo free kick caused a scramble in the box.

The ball spilled out just outside the six-yard area, and Mokwena was ready to pounce, driving it into the bottom corner past Siwelele keeper Ricardo Goss.

By then Durban were already a goal up, thanks to Koapeng Letsie’s late first-half strike that put the home side in control.

With the rain pelting down and the surface slick, Durban City looked far more comfortable than their Free State visitors, using their familiarity with the Chatsworth conditions to keep the upper hand.

“It was a bit difficult with the rain, but we always train here and we’re used to the pitch whether it’s raining or not,” Mokwena explained.

“I think we focused on getting our first touch right and kept playing from there. Coach kept telling us that we are home and that we must not let them put us under pressure.”

The result carried weight beyond just three points. Durban City snapped a three-match winless run and climbed to fourth in the Betway Premiership standings with 11 points from six games.

Siwelele, meanwhile, remain in a tough spot, sitting 13th after their fourth defeat of the season — a poor return for a side still adjusting after taking over SuperSport United’s status earlier this year. 

Despite enjoying 59.2% possession and completing more passes, Siwelele lacked penetration in the final third.

Durban City, with just 40.8% possession, were far more efficient, firing off 11 total shots to Siwelele’s seven, with three goals on target compared to just one from the visitors.

It was a case of making fewer chances count, with Mokwena’s practiced finish sealing the contest.