Durban City assistant coach Musa Nyatama has called for greater sharpness in front of goal as his side prepare for another KZN derby against Richards Bay at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday night (8pm kick-off).
City have yet to find the back of the net in their opening three matches of the season, with a 1–0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in their Betway Premiership opener followed by a similar result in the MTN8 against Orlando Pirates and a goalless draw with Lamontville Golden Arrows in Wednesday night’s home league derby.
Despite the lack of goals, Nyatama believes there have been encouraging signs in City’s performances and says the focus now is on turning their opportunities into results.
“I think we are playing well, everything is fine. We just need to improve in the final third,” Nyatama said. “That’s something that we are working on, especially the final third. We need to get ourselves ready to score those goals so that we win games and get the maximum points.”
City shared the spoils with Arrows on Wednesday, with the home side enjoying the better of the second-half pressure but unable to find a way past goalkeeper Edward Maova, who was in inspired form.
That result left City still searching for their first league win and goal of the campaign, but Nyatama was encouraged by the attitude in the squad as they prepare for another demanding derby just three days later.
“It’s a very difficult one, but positively at least we got one point from the previous derby,” he said. “We have to get maximum points against Richards Bay.”
The Natal Rich Boys lost their opening league fixture at home against Polokwane City, and arrive at Chatsworth after drawing 1–1 away to Chippa United on Tuesday. Nyatama expects another difficult challenge from a side he believes can hurt opponents with their pace.
“They are a very tricky side. They are quick and they are scoring, which is something that we also need to improve on,” he said.
The congested schedule means there has been little time for City to dwell on Wednesday’s stalemate, with Nyatama instead stressing the importance of collective effort as they look to finally break their scoring drought.
“It will take hard work. The guys are pushing and the attitude is very good, positive, and the camp also is very positive,” he said. “So it will take each and every one — the unity, hard work and everyone pushing in the same direction — so that we can get the points.”
