Durban City have made history in Mauritius. On Sunday, 25 October 2026, the Nedbank Cup holders beat AS Port Louis 2000 to reach the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time. They are now the only South African club left in the competition.
It is a proud moment for the club and for KwaZulu-Natal football.
What happened in Mauritius
The second leg took place at the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in St Pierre. Durban City FC arrived with a 3 to 1 lead from the first leg and went about their job calmly.
They did not wait long to settle things. Gaston Sirino scored in the 12th minute to push the aggregate score to 4 to 1. He is a familiar name to local fans, having played for both Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.
Haashim Domingo added a second in the 25th minute. That made it 5 to 1 on aggregate. At that point, the home side faced a very steep climb.
Jean Lubumba then had a chance to make it three before the break. He was flagged offside while through on goal. A late tackle also stopped him from adding to the score. Those misses did not hurt in the end, but they showed how many openings the visitors were creating.
Brooks seals the tie
Coach Eric Tinkler made four changes after half time. Luphumlo Sifumba, Ethan Brooks, Fezile Gcaba and Siyabonga Msomi came on for Sirino, Kyle Jurgens, Bandile Shandu and Mfanafuthi Mkhize.
The changes worked quickly. Brooks scored in the 52nd minute, just seven minutes after coming on. It was his first goal for the club, and it made the score 3 to 0 on the night and 6 to 1 over the two legs.
After that, Durban City managed the game with ease. Brooklyn Poggenpoel sent in a dangerous ball that Lubumba just missed. No more goals followed, but none were needed.
A quick look at the tie
| Stage | Result | Key scorers |
|---|---|---|
| First leg (18 October, Durban) | Durban City 3, Port Louis 1 | Domingo, Sirino, Morris (penalty) |
| Second leg (25 October, Mauritius) | Port Louis 0, Durban City 3 | Sirino, Domingo, Brooks |
| Aggregate | Durban City 6, Port Louis 1 |
This simple summary shows how well the team handled both matches.
Why this matters for South Africa
The timing makes this result even bigger. Kaizer Chiefs were knocked out by Red Arrows of Zambia just two days earlier. That was a shock exit for one of the country’s best known clubs.
So the picture changed fast. Chiefs went home early, and Durban City became the flag bearer for South African clubs in this competition.
The club’s rise has also been quick. They only reached the top flight two seasons ago, after changing their name from Maritzburg United. They then won the Nedbank Cup last season, which earned them a place in African football. Many clubs wait decades for such a chance.
This was also their first ever continental campaign. Getting through two rounds on debut is not an easy thing to do.
The road to the group stage
The journey began in the first preliminary round. Durban City beat Rukinzo of Burundi 3 to 1 on aggregate. That win came under former coach Khalil Ben Youssef.
Then came a change on the bench. Eric Tinkler took over about ten days before the first leg against Port Louis. His first match in charge was a 2 to 1 league loss to AmaZulu. That was far from the start he wanted.
The first leg against Port Louis gave him his first win at the club. The visitors did score through Louis Roussety after a goalkeeper error, and that annoyed Tinkler. He felt his players relaxed too much after going two goals up. He also said the team was wasteful in front of goal, especially in the first half.
His message was simple. Standards must be higher in African competition than in the domestic league.
The players listened. The second leg was sharper, more focused and far more clinical. The team also had a full week to prepare, with no midweek league match to worry about. That clearly helped.
What the players showed
Several things stood out in Mauritius.
- Fast starts. Two goals in 25 minutes put the tie out of reach.
- Strong bench. The substitutes added energy and a goal.
- Better focus. The team did not repeat the sloppy spell from the first leg.
- Experience. Sirino led the way with a calm finish early on.
For durban city, these are the habits needed in the group stage. The opposition will be tougher from here, and one lapse can cost a result.
What comes next
The group stage draw will decide who Durban City FC face. The club will wait for CAF to confirm the date and the groups. You can follow official updates on the CAF Confederation Cup page as they are released.
CAF has said the winner of the competition receives a prize of 4 million US dollars. Even reaching the group phase brings valuable experience and exposure. For a young club, that is worth a lot.
There is also a busy local calendar to manage. Earlier in the campaign, the club had to balance league fixtures with the continental games, including a tough league date against Mamelodi Sundowns. Tinkler’s squad depth will be tested over the coming months.
Fans can keep up with club news on the official Durban City website, where match reports and updates are posted.
A moment for the fans
For supporters, this is a very special week. Few people expected the club to go this far this quickly. A cup win last season, a first African campaign, and now a place in the group stage. It reads like a fairy tale.
The result also gives South African football some welcome good news. Chiefs’ exit left a gap, and Durban City filled it with a confident, professional display.
Of course, the real test is still ahead. Group opponents will be stronger and travel will be tougher. Still, the team has shown it can win away from home and learn from mistakes.
If Tinkler’s side keeps its focus, it is easy to see why fans are dreaming big. Nothing is guaranteed in African football, but the club has earned its place at the table.
Final word
Durban City are through to the Confederation Cup group stage after a 6 to 1 aggregate win over Port Louis. Sirino, Domingo and Brooks scored in Mauritius, and the team looked far more disciplined than in the first leg. With Chiefs out, South Africa’s hopes in this tournament now rest on one club from KwaZulu-Natal.
It is a simple story with a big meaning. A young club, a new coach and a bold run. Now the whole country will be watching to see how far durban city fc can go.
About the Author
