Hunt bemoans defensive lapses as Durban City bow out of Carling Knockout

Durban City coach Gavin Hunt admitted frustration after his side’s defensive lapses and missed chances led to an extra-time defeat to Richards Bay in Sunday’s Carling Knockout quarter-final.

It was a cruel outcome for a City side that had looked in control for much of the contest. 

Trevor Mokwena’s brilliant strike early in the second half had put them in the driving seat, but lapses at the back allowed the Natal Rich Boys to mount a dramatic late turnaround. Richards Bay’s comeback began when Knox Mutizwa equalised in the 84th minute, before substitute Mbulelo Nombengula struck in extra time to put the hosts ahead. 

Lundi Mahala then added a third in the 120th minute to seal the result and send City packing.

For Hunt, it was a case of déjà vu. His side had also suffered a disappointing Durban Derby defeat to AmaZulu a week earlier — another match in which they had looked good for long periods but failed to make their dominance count.

“In the first half we were very good and we could’ve scored,” Hunt reflected post-match. “Second half we score, but then with bad defending we met them back, and the second goal again bad defending.”

City began brightly and controlled possession through much of the opening half, moving the ball well and pinning Richards Bay back. But the experienced coach was left frustrated by his team’s inability to maintain that control when it mattered most.

“We also gave the ball away a lot today,” Hunt added.

“Our one-on-one defend was poor, especially for the first goal. We have to stand up there and we can’t let them cross. The scoreline is a bitter pill to swallow, but I’m very disappointed.”

Having now suffered back-to-back defeats, Hunt admitted it was the nature of the losses rather than the results that troubled him most.

“It’s been even more disappointing because it’s been bad defending, not a lack of mobility or playing,” he continued.

“It’s just lacked that final touch. How many times did we go through today but couldn’t find that elusive touch with the right connection?”

City will now shift focus to their Betway Premiership fixture against Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, where Hunt will expect a reaction from his players.

“We don’t want to think of it like that,” he said.

“We just have to look at the next game. We know what we can do and what we can’t do. We obviously need to look at a big game next week and we need to be better again.

“If we score first, then we have to defend better, and we might put ourselves in a good place.”