Ben Youssef targets Richards Bay after scoreless Arrows derby

Durban City coach Ali Youssef is focusing on his team's clinical edge ahead of their next fixture against Richards Bay. The coach's attention shifts to the upcoming KwaZulu-Natal derby following a goalless draw against Abafana Bes’thende in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday night.

The match at Chatsworth Stadium was played in wet and cold conditions. Youssef noted that the state of the pitch necessitated a tactical shift, forcing the team to rely on long balls because the water on the surface prevented effective short passing. Despite the difficult conditions, the team managed to create more than five high-quality scoring opportunities in the penalty area.

However, the lack of goals remained a primary concern for the Durban City head coach. Youssef identified the conversion of chances as the most critical area for improvement, stating that the team must remain more focused in the box to secure results. He attributed the stalemate to the opposing goalkeeper's performance, who earned the man of the match award for his displays.

Looking ahead to the encounter with Richards Bay, Youssef is unlikely to make significant changes to his starting eleven. The coach explained that the limited size of his current squad restricts his ability to rotate players extensively, especially following the 120 minutes of play his squad endured during their MTN8 quarterfinal loss over the weekend.

In addition to tactical adjustments, Youssef confirmed that the club is still active in the transfer market. He expects four more players to join the squad before the window closes, noting that some signings are already finalized while negotiations for other targets continue.