Gavin Hunt backs home form to drive Durban City’s Betway Premiership-survival bid

Durban City fought their way to a valuable point against Stellenbosch FC, holding the Cape Winelands side to a goalless draw at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday.

The newly promoted side may not have claimed the full three points, but the result reflected their growing resilience under Gavin Hunt in the Betway Premiership. 

It also meant City stayed inside the top half of the standings after eight games, no small feat given the challenges of their early season schedule.

“We’ve played eight games and five of them away against all the top teams,” Hunt said. 

“So it bears well for the future. There’s no easy games at this level and we saw that again today, so we just have to box clever and try to get out of these kinds of places unscathed. We’re not bad at home and that’s very important even though it doesn’t guarantee we’re gonna win, but at home we’re very good.”

The coach’s comments underline a clear pattern, City have struggled to collect points on the road against the top teams despite their opening day win over TS Galaxy in Mpumalanga. 

Hunt’s men have managed just a single draw across trips to Mamelodi Sundowns, Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch. 

But the contrast at home has been encouraging, with Chatsworth Stadium fast becoming a stronghold where the Cityzens have picked up seven points from nine.

Against Stellenbosch, Hunt’s charges showed their willingness to compete at this level. 

While Stellenbosch enjoyed phases of dominance, City created opportunities of their own, with quick transitions and aerial pressure keeping the hosts on alert.

“I thought we did okay… we had a couple of good moments,” Hunt said. “The last fifteen minutes was tough… they threw the kitchen sink at us.”

City’s ability to weather that storm spoke volumes about their defensive organisation. 

Led by experienced campaigners, the backline held firm under pressure, while goalkeeper interventions proved vital in preserving the clean sheet.

Hunt’s experience has been crucial in guiding the side through what could easily have been a daunting introduction to top-flight football. 

His emphasis on home form reflects a pragmatic approach: while victories on the road may be scarce, ensuring Chatsworth becomes a reliable source of points could be the key to survival and even mid-table stability.

Eight games into the campaign, City sit sixth on the log with 12 points. For a team still adjusting to the league’s intensity, that is a return most newly promoted clubs would envy.

Attention now shifts to Saturday’s clash at home to Magesi FC — another opportunity for Hunt’s men to reinforce their fortress and prove that their bright start is no accident.