Pitso Dladla sees Durban City draw as turning point ahead of cup final

Durban City and the Mswenko Boys played out a 1-1 draw on Friday night, ending a run of three consecutive defeats. While the result extended their winless streak to four matches, Dladla saw encouraging signs, particularly in the team's resilience under difficult conditions at Chatsworth.

In cold and wet weather, the hosts found themselves under early pressure and had to dig deep to get back into the contest - an unusual scenario for a side that has been strong at home this season.

"The point means a lot for us. Coming from three losses, it's not easy to immediately bounce back with a win. But this gives us something to build on," said the Dladla as quoted by Daily News.

The match turned physical, forcing tactical adjustments, with key players like Terrence Mashego and Kyle Jurgens substituted after picking up yellow cards.

Despite the positive takeaway, Durban City remain under pressure in the Betway Premiership standings. Having occupied sixth place for much of the season, they now face stiff competition from Polokwane City and Golden Arrows, with the former holding games in hand.

"It's a concern, of course, because we've been in that position for a long time and we want to stay there. But we must also be realistic about where we are coming from," he admitted.

Attention now shifts to what could be a defining moment in the club's history - the Nedbank Cup final against TS Galaxy in Polokwane.

Victory would not only deliver silverware but could also reignite momentum heading into the final stretch of the league campaign.

For Dladla and his side, the recent draw may not have been perfect - but it could prove timely as they chase both stability and history.