Durban City’s first taste of Premiership football at home ended in celebration on Wednesday night, as Joslin Kamatuka struck in the dying moments to secure a 1-0 triumph over Chippa United.
The Chatsworth Stadium crowd witnessed a tense, attacking display from the home side, who refused to settle for a draw. For Gavin Hunt’s men, it was another statement of intent from a team refusing to play like newcomers.
From the opening whistle, City showed they meant business. Haashim Domingo, marking his birthday in style, nearly gave the hosts a dream start but sent his shot over the bar after just three minutes. Samkelo Maseko then worked himself into a scoring position but couldn’t keep his effort on target. The closest call of the first half came in the 14th minute when Domingo’s curling drive from range smacked the upright, leaving Chippa’s goalkeeper flat-footed.
The visitors offered little going forward and rode their luck at times – notably when Sergio Kammies appeared to handle the ball just outside his box. City couldn’t make the resulting free kick count, and the score remained goalless at half-time.
The second period followed the same script: City dictating play, Chippa absorbing pressure. A goalmouth scramble in the 56th minute came to nothing, while a pinpoint cross from Domingo flashed inches past Trevor Mokwena.
Domingo continued to orchestrate attacks, but the breakthrough proved elusive. Then, with two minutes of regulation time remaining, Mfanafuthi Mkhize powered down the left and whipped a teasing ball across the face of goal. Kamatuka was first to react, steering a sharp first-time finish into the back of the net to send the home support into delirium.
The result keeps Durban City perfect in their debut Premiership campaign – two games, two wins – and sets the stage for their next challenge: a fiery KwaZulu-Natal derby against Golden Arrows at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday, 19 August (19:30).