In a game where interference by club administrators is often rife, former Maritzburg United player and coach Fadlu Davids has lifted the lid on how Durban City FC chairman Farook Kadodia manages his coaches.
Davids, currently at Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, played for the now-defunct Maritzburg before transitioning to coaching.
He has paid tribute to the veteran football administrator, describing him as a leader who played a defining role in both his playing and coaching career.
In a recent interview with FARPost, the 44-year-old coach reflected on his long-standing relationship with Kadodia, which began during their time at the Team of Choice, saying the club immediately felt like a family environment. “As soon as I joined the club, Maritzburg, it felt like a family. That was due to his leadership and how he manages the club,” Davids told FARPost.
The former Simba SC coach revealed that Kadodia, together with Ernst Middendorp, helped him make the difficult transition from player to coach.
Davids recalls his first major coaching opportunity after a successful interim spell in charge of Maritzburg United.
“He made me head coach after that 15-game interim period, during which we finished seventh. The next season we ended fourth, made the MTN Cup final and reached a semi-final,” he added.
‘HE DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE COACH’S JOB’: DAVIDS ON KADODIA
He praised the Durban City FC chairman’s management style, noting that he trusted coaches to make footballing decisions independently.
“He’s a good leader who does not interfere in the coaching part. He has his opinion, but he allows you to make your own decisions. There was never interference in line-ups or in my work as a coach,” Davids said.
The ex-Orlando Pirates coach added that Kadodia was especially active in protecting the club from off-field challenges and external pressures.
“He’s always streetwise in anticipating anything dirty or underhanded being done against the club. He works hard to make sure the club is clean and protected, which allows the coach to work freely.”
Kadodia’s contribution to football in KwaZulu-Natal was on display last week when his newly promoted Durban City lifted the Nedbank Cup. The victory secures them CAF Confederation Cup participation next season. Following their relegation from the top flight in the 2022/23 season, Kadodia renamed the club Durban City.
“Everybody can feel it now without Maritzburg United in Pietermaritzburg. The city has lost some of its spark, especially on Friday nights.”
Davids believes that stable financial backing could help Kadodia realise his long-term vision of establishing a strong football academy capable of developing more local talent in KwaZulu-Natal.
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