Latest news with #DurbanCityFC
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Durban City appoint Gavin Hunt to lead club into Premiership era
Gavin Hunt has been unveiled as Durban City's new head coach, with the four-time league winner set to lead the newly promoted side in their first Betway Premiership campaign. Photo: Backpagepix Hunt joins City after they parted ways with coach Simo Dladla, who led the team to the Motsepe Foundation Championship title and secured promotion to the top flight for next season. The club officially confirmed Hunt's appointment on Wednesday afternoon, following widespread reports linking him with the newly promoted side. Durban City have cited Gavin Hunt's 'leadership style and results-driven approach' as the primary reason for appointing him as the club's new head coach. 🌊Citizens, let's welcome Gavin Hunt. Our New Head Coach. Bringing a winning legacy to our team, our city. A new chapter begins. 💙 #WelcomeGavinHunt #DurbanCityFC #OurTeamOurCity Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. The veteran coach had been a free agent since his departure from the soon-to-be-defunct SuperSport United. While some members of the football fraternity were surprised by the move — with critics suggesting Hunt's time had passed in an ever-evolving football landscape — Durban City strongly backed the 59-year-old. The club highlighted Hunt's extensive experience and success in South African football, including four league titles, as central to their decision. 'His leadership style and results-driven approach aligns perfectly with Durban City's ambitions as we prepare for the upcoming Betway Premiership season,' the club said in a statement. Club chairman Farook Kadodia also expressed full confidence in Hunt's ability to guide the club through this new chapter, noting the coach's vast knowledge and recent milestone of managing his 1 000th professional match. 'We are thrilled to welcome Gavin to Durban City,' said Kadodia. 'His record speaks for itself, and we believe he is the right person to lead our team into this exciting new era. 'His professionalism, football knowledge and winning mentality are exactly what the club needs as we strive to compete at the highest level.'
News24
3 days ago
- Sport
- News24
PSL rookies Durban City appoint veteran coach Gavin Hunt: ‘His record speaks for itself'
Durban City have appointed Gavin Hunt as their coach for the 2025-26 season that kicks off in August. Hunt joins City just under four months after he was fired by the now defunct SuperSport United. His appointment fills the post that was left vacant when City's management couldn't agree terms with Simo Dladla, who won the club promotion to the first division. For more PSL news, please visit the News24 local soccer page. Durban City have gone for experience in assembling a technical team that will lead the premier division rookies in the 2025-26 season that kicks off in August. Veteran coach Gavin Hunt will lead that team after the club confirmed his appointment on Wednesday. 🌊Citizens, let's welcome Gavin Hunt. Our New Head Coach. Bringing a winning legacy to our team, our city. A new chapter begins. 💙 #WelcomeGavinHunt #DurbanCityFC #OurTeamOurCity — Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) July 9, 2025 Hunt, who has managed more than 1 000 matches in the country's elite league, fills the post that was vacant after Simo Dladla left City. Dladla and the club's management couldn't agree on a new deal after the coach guided the franchise to the promised land by winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Dladla ended up joining AmaZulu to serve as Arthur Zwane's assistant coach. Hunt will assume the role with the mandate of retaining City's status in the premier division. 'His record speaks for itself and we believe he is the right person to lead our team in this exciting new era,' said City's chair Farouk Kadodia in a statement. 'His professionalism, football knowledge and winning mentality are exactly what the club needs as we strive to compete at the highest level.' City are rumoured to be looking at appointing Ernst Middendorp as technical director. The German has a long history with the club in their previous incarnation as Maritzburg United, before they relocated to Durban and changed their name. Hunt and Middendorp are among the Premier Soccer League's most experienced coaches. Things, however, didn't end well in their previous jobs. Hunt was fired just under four months ago at SuperSport United, with the team narrowly avoiding relegation on their last day. Middendorp's Cape Town Spurs had no such luck. The Cape side was relegated from the first division to the amateur ranks, a season after they were demoted to the Motsepe Foundation Championship from the elite league under the guidance of the German coach.
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Durban City FC player remembered after collapse during football match
Paramedics attended to the player on the field and rushed him to hospital, but he passed away. The 22-year-old Zondi, also known as Sgora, reportedly collapsed during the warm-up. Picture: Durban City FC Durban City Football (FC) club has suffered a tragedy after its player Sinamandla Zondi collapsed and died ahead of a match in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The 22-year-old Zondi, also known as Sgora, reportedly collapsed during the warm-up ahead of the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) match against Milford FC at the Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday night. Paramedics attended to the player on the field and rushed him to the hospital. Sadly, he did not survive. Zondi made his professional debut in September 2021 and has been a regular for his club. The clash between the two clubs, however, went ahead with Durban City FC losing the match 1-0. ALSO READ: Kaizer Chiefs' keeper wanted in France Tragedy Durban City FC said has been left heartbroken by Zondi's death. 'It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Sinamandla Zondi aka Sgora, a loved member of the Durban City family. Sinamandla was more than a talented footballer, he was a teammate, a friend, a brother, a Son and an inspiration to all who knew him. 'Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone affected by this tragic loss,' Durban FC said. The club said it will continue to support those close to him during this difficult time. Durban FC was in the spotlight last month after the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the club entered into a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate in several areas and advance football. As part of the agreement, the two parties will collaborate to enhance expertise in high-performance football, facilitate knowledge sharing, and explore joint community outreach and marketing opportunities. The MoU established a structured partnership that leveraged UKZN's academic and research expertise and Durban City's excellent professional football standing and track record. Durban City was previously known as Maritzburg United, but relocated to Durban before the 2024/25 season began. ALSO READ: 'God of football' Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe has died [VIDEO]
News24
23-04-2025
- Sport
- News24
Tragedy strikes Durban City FC as footballer dies after collapsing
A Durban City FC player, Sinamandla Zondi, died after collapsing ahead of a Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) match against Milford FC at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday night. Zondi, 22, reportedly collapsed in the warm-up ahead of the match. He was attended to by paramedics before being rushed to hospital. The defender, however, did not survive. The match went ahead but was suspended at half-time, with Milford leading 1-0. A statement from Durban City FC read: "It is with sadness that we confirm the passing of Sinamandla Zondi, aka Sgora, a loved member of the Durban City family. "Sinamandla was more than a talented footballer, he was a team-mate, a friend, a brother, a son and an inspiration to all who knew him. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, teammates coaches and everyone affected by this tragic loss. We will continue to support those close to him during this difficult time." Durban City, who were previously known as Maritzburg United, currently lead the Motsepe Foundation Championship and look likely to be promoted to the top-tier Betway Premiership. They boast 46 points after 25 matches and enjoy a five-point lead over second-placed Kruger United, who have played 26 games.
