Durban City’s season has taken another unexpected twist after the club confirmed that it has parted ways with head coach Sinethemba Badela just three games into his tenure. For a team still navigating the demands of top-flight football, the decision has raised eyebrows, even though the club insists it had little to do with match results.
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A short chapter with mixed early moments
Badela arrived at a time when expectations were high, following the departure of Gavin Hunt, who was controversially dismissed in December despite guiding the newly promoted side into the top half of the DStv Premiership.
In his three games, Badela managed a gritty 1-0 league win over Polokwane City, a 2-0 loss to Chippa United, and a dramatic Nedbank Cup progression after a penalty shootout triumph over Chippa. On the surface, it was a respectable start for a coach stepping into a highly pressured environment.
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A philosophical mismatch behind the scenes
In a statement, Durban City made it clear that the separation was not driven by results, but rather by a deeper incompatibility between Badela’s long-term football vision and the club’s immediate competitive needs.
The club praised him for introducing a modern football philosophy and helping shape what they described as a values-driven culture. But with 13 matches left in a season where survival and stability are non-negotiable, Durban City said the time needed to embed his approach clashed with the short-term demands of the campaign.
This is not the first abrupt coaching transition in Badela’s career. Earlier this season, he spent just two matches in charge of Chippa United and previously served as assistant to Rhulani Mokwena at Wydad Casablanca, where he gained experience in high-pressure environments.
The context behind the carousel
For Durban City, the coaching carousel reflects the broader tension many newly promoted sides face: balancing long-term identity-building with the urgent need for short-term points. After climbing into the top flight, stability has proven elusive. The club needs a leader who can deliver results while managing the off-field demands that come with the pressure of staying up.
Badela, meanwhile, leaves behind a foundation he never quite got the time to build on. His ideas impressed the club, but the realities of the season forced a more pragmatic call.
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What comes next
As the team prepares for a congested run of fixtures, Durban City will now look for a coach with deeper top-flight experience and the ability to steady the ship quickly. Whoever steps in will inherit a squad still adapting to life in the top tier, and a fanbase hoping for consistency after months of turbulence.
Badela’s next move will also be closely watched. At just 30-something and already linked with roles from Gqeberha to Casablanca, his coaching journey is unfolding in real time across South African football.
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Source: SuperSport
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