KZN clubs face uphill battle for silverware, says coach Dladla

KWAZULU-NATAL football has been waiting more than a decade for silverware, and Durban City assistant coach Pitso Dladla believes the region's struggles are rooted in financial realities and player retention.

- SMISO MSOMI

The last major trophy to land in KZN was back in 2009 when Golden Arrows stunned Ajax Cape Town to lift the MTN8. Before that, the only league success from the province came courtesy of Manning Rangers in 1997, a club that has since folded.

AmaZulu have come the closest to rewriting that history in recent years, finishing runners-up in the 2020/21 league campaign and reaching the MTNS final in 2022, only to fall short on both occasions.

Dladla, who is part of Gavin Hunt’s technical team at newly promoted Durban City, says cup competitions offer the most realistic route for clubs in the province.

“Winning cup competitions is very possible because you only play a handful of matches and if you plan well, you might be able to win it;’ Dladla said last week on Ukhozi FM.