JOSLIN Kamatuka looking to contribute for Durban City when it matters most after missing the greater part of the season.
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Durban City’s response to Bernard Parker’s arrival as coach at TS Galaxy ahead of their Nedbank Cup final on Saturday suggests they are unfazed by the former football star.
With City’s usual back four — Terrence Mashego, Siphamandla Ncanana, Mfanafuthi Mkhize, and Felize Gcaba — expected to start, fans will be hoping for the same solid defence Durban displayed at the beginning of the season.
Assistant coach Ashraf Hendricks confirmed that the entire squad is fit and ready for Saturday, including the star striker who helped propel them from the NFD into the PSL.
Joslin Kamatuka did not enjoy the same level of success in the league this season, however, as he nursed a niggling hamstring injury. But an opportunity to play in the Nedbank Cup final could wipe all that frustration away.
"I'm happy to be back to 100 per cent fitness. I'm calm and happy to be back in the squad. I’ve been supported by the club and the chairman; they got me the best medical treatment, so now I’m fit and ready for the final," Kamatuka said.
"Of course, I always want to start, but that’s football. You either start or come off the bench. If you come off the bench, you can change the game, and you are even more eager to do your job."
In addition to the experienced Namibian striker, Saziso Magawana is also fit for the final. Durban is also likely to start Jean Lwamba against Galaxy; Lwamba has been in hot form lately, netting three goals in his last two games.
At the centre of the park, Brooklyn Poggenpoel is looking to bring glory, once again, to the family name. Brooklyn is the nephew of Shane Poggenpoel, a former PSL star who won three league trophies under Gavin Hunt. This marks the first cup final of his professional career.
"Growing up in academies as a youngster, you win trophies, but they never talk about an occasion like this. It is something I’ve thought about and discussed with my close circle. This is something the team has worked hard for, and we are just going to enjoy it," Poggenpoel said.
"Whatever coaching changes happen at Galaxy has nothing to do with us. As players, we also had to adapt to our own changes. They have Coach Bernard now, who was one of the greatest players in the country, but they are still a team and he is a coach. All we have to do is focus on ourselves."
Young Poggenpoel was right to note that they have had to adapt to shifts in their own coaching structure. Gavin Hunt and Ernst Middendorp were initially brought into the club to steer them into the PSL, but both have since departed. Durban is now technically operating without a head coach.
Pitso Dladla, who was never officially appointed as head coach, has served as an assistant since the NFD era under Coach Simo Dladla. Pitso entered the top flight under Hunt and took over the reins following Hunt's departure. However, Dladla was nowhere to be seen at training on Wednesday. While his absence remains a matter of speculation, training proceeded as usual.
Assistant coach Ashraf Hendricks said they have tried their best to ensure the team understands the gravity of the match while keeping them calm and composed.
"There’s been a good vibe in the team. We’ve tried to take the pressure off them because they need to be in a mindset where they don’t overthink things. But at the end of the day, we have a huge opportunity in front of us, so we have to find that balance. As long as they know what the objective is on Saturday, we’ll be fine," Hendricks said.
"Taking a trophy back to Chatsworth would be incredibly important because the fans have been there for every single game, and we are extremely grateful for that," he added.
Jehran Naidoo is a sports reporter for Independent Media and the social media coordinator for our YouTube channel, The Clutch.