Durban City FC has parted ways with head coach Sinethemba Badela, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure in the KZN capital just weeks after he arrived to replace Gavin Hunt in the hot seat.
Despite being hailed as the face of the club’s ‘technical restructuring’ on December 26, 2026, Badela’s tenure lasted a mere three matches.
His record with the Citizens includes a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City FC at the Chatsworth Stadium in January. He then lost to his former club, Chippa United, 2-0 in the Betway Premiership, before a penalty shootout win over the same Chilli Boys side in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 on Friday at home.
Management informed the squad that, while Badela’s tactical approach had merit, the club could not afford a transition period. The feeling was that Badela’s style of football required some time to develop, and at this stage of the season, the priority was to secure results. Players reportedly felt that the tactical shift was too abrupt for mid-season and were struggling to adapt to Badela’s methods.
Badela is on record as saying he is introducing “a slightly different style” which “might take a bit of time”.
“I came in after 15 games, so we don’t have a lot of time, of course,” Badela told the media in Durban. “I’m introducing a slightly different style of play to the group, which might take a bit of time.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR DURBAN CITY FC?
In the meantime, assistant coach Pitso Dladla is set to take the reins until a long-term decision is made. Dladla assisted both Hunt and Badela and understands the club’s ins and outs.
Durban City currently sit sixth in the Betway Premiership with 25 points. They are also in the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup after winning the penalty shootout. Badela’s departure means Durban City have made two coaching changes this season. In December, they parted ways with Hunt, who had been in charge since the start of the season.
The club officially announced that Hunt’s departure was by mutual agreement, following a thorough review of the team’s goals. While Hunt had the team in eighth place at the time, the club reportedly believed a ‘new direction’ was necessary to achieve its performance goals.
For Badela, this marks his second short-lived head-coaching stint. At Chippa, which he joined during pre-season as his first senior head coach role, he was dismissed in less than two months. He had overseen only two matches, a 1-1 draw against reigning Mamelodi Sundowns and a 1-0 loss to Durban City.
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