Khalil Ben Youssef: Hard work, strong mentality key for Durban City

City have won just once in their opening six league matches, although they have advanced in the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers. They also rank among the top three teams for chances created and chances conceded, with poor finishing proving their biggest issue.

Ben Youssef says the club's focus on developing a determined mindset is continuing to bear fruit, with the squad encouraged to work relentlessly and pursue individual career ambitions.

"From the first meeting that we discussed with the player, we said one thing; there's no small team, there's no big team. The only thing you need to do is to work, improve yourself and always have objectives in your career to be the best player in the league," Ben Youssef said.

"If you have this kind of mentality, you can continue to work with us, if you don't have this mentality, you can leave the team, because you don't have a place with us. Fortunately for us, all the players answered they are ready.

"We are working well, making a lot of meetings with the players, individual meetings, trying to help the team, trying to introduce the new philosophy, the new mentality, new mindset for the team - I think in this point, until this moment have succeeded with the team.

"The game plan, the team is playing with character, even changing the systems, the team doesn't struggle - and it's something that comes with work, that's something I'm proud of with the technical staff during this period. Unfortunately, sometimes the results don't show what we're doing and what we're working on.

"Count how many 1v1s with the keeper and open goals we have missed, we deserve to be third or number two in the league. But the reality now - we have to work to find solutions for the chances we creating and not scoring."

Durban City returned to the top flight after winning the 2024/25 Motsepe Foundation Championship, then finished in the top eight and lifted the Nedbank Cup.