The battle for promotion in the Motsepe Foundation Championship is intensifying, with Durban City having opened a five-point gap against their closest rivals. The coastal side is sitting on top of the National First Division log with 42 points after 22 matches, while Kruger United, Orbit College FC and JDR Stars, which are occupying the second, third and fourth positions, are all sitting on 36 points, respectively.
With eight matches remaining to wrap up the 2024/25 season, the battle for automatic promotion, play-off qualification, and to avoid relegation has become the order of the day as the league is drawing near to the end. After almost a two-week break due to the 2026 FIFA African World Cup qualifiers, it’s back to action. City, who dropped two points in their last match after they were held to a goalless draw away to Leruma FC in Soshanguve, have an opportunity to redeem themselves.
The Durban side welcomes the struggling Upington City on Friday, March 28, at the Chatsworth Stadium. Kick-off is at 3.30pm. The focus, however, will be on Saturday’s clash at the Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo. Black Leopards will be entertaining cross-town rivals Baroka FC in a scramble for the embattled vital three points. The two sides are desperate for points with the hope of finishing in the top three position to book a place in the promotional play-offs at the end of the season.
Leopards have themselves to blame for finding themselves in 7th position on the log with 31 points. They started the season very well, only to tamper with their winning combination by chopping and changing coaches. Meanwhile, Kruger United will be looking forward to cementing their second position at the expense of the endangered Cape Town Spurs, whom they will pay a visit at the Athlone Stadium in the Western Cape.
The Cape side will, however, not go down without a fight as they are also seriously in need of points to move away from the danger zone (15th with only five points). The other Saturday’s Motsepe Foundation Championship fixtures are: Casric FC v Upington City (Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga), Hungry Lions v Pretoria University (Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium, Upington) and Orbit College FC v Highbury FC (Olympia Park, Rustenburg). Kick-Off for all the matches is at 3.30pm.
In a significant development for the club, Durban City FC has entered a collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) through the Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise, and Leisure Sciences (BELS). The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a major step in bridging the gap between professional sports and academic expertise in the province.
Durban City, newly rebranded having moved from being Maritzburg United, is enjoying a promising start in their first season in Durban. They’re currently leading the second division and showing the strongest potential for promotion to the top-flight Betway Premiership. With the partnership with UKZN, they aim to enhance their sporting performance through the integration of sports science.
Durban City FC tweeted, "We’ve partnered with UKZN to grow football and create new opportunities for young talent in KZN. Exciting times ahead! ⚽💙#OurCityOurTeam #DurbanCityFC #UKZN" on March 27, 2025, highlighting their enthusiasm for the collaboration. This partnership follows in the footsteps of Mamelodi Sundowns, who signed a similar agreement with the University of Pretoria (UP) back in 2021.
Sundowns has long been committed to using science and technology to push their performance to new heights. The partnership with UP has involved the club working alongside UP’s sport science staff, with access to their High Performance Centre (HPC) and other top facilities. For City, the collaboration with UKZN means access to a range of sport science services, including fitness assessments and performance evaluations.
Under the guidance of Dr Siphamandla Nyawose, a high-performance coordinator, the club will receive detailed reports on both individual and team fitness, helping them track progress and fine-tune their approach to achieving their goals. This partnership offers more than just performance benefits to the club. It also creates valuable learning opportunities for students.
Honours students from BELS work closely with the team, gaining hands-on experience in performance evaluation, data analysis, and conditioning. This direct exposure helps students connect their academic learning with real-world applications, which is an essential step in their professional development.
In addition, the collaboration has paved the way for internships, allowing students to gain practical experience in a professional sports environment. This gives them the chance to complete their internship hours while contributing to a team at the top of its game. The impact of this partnership is already being seen in the career paths of students involved.
Two honours students, Amukelani Mfukeng and Michael Radebe, have secured positions in Durban City FC’s High Performance department, a testament to the career-relevant training they received through this collaboration. Mfukeng is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the field.
Professor Rowena Naidoo, the Academic Leader of BELS, highlighted the importance of such partnerships in enhancing both the professionalisation of sport and the academic growth of students. "The collaboration is seen as a strong step forward in aligning academic excellence with industry needs, benefiting both students and the broader sports community," said Naidoo.
This partnership solidifies Durban City FC’s commitment to not only securing a spot in the top flight but also establishing itself as a key player in the growing intersection of sports and academic innovation. As the Motsepe Foundation Championship continues, all eyes will be on Durban City and their quest for promotion, coupled with their innovative approach to integrating sports science into their training regimen.
