Durban City are in prime position to secure a return to the top-flight of South African football as the Motsepe Foundation Championship heads into the final stretch.
With only eight games left in the season, the KwaZulu-Natal club are holding onto a six-point lead at the top of the table, putting them in control of their destiny.
The chase for second place remains tight, with Kruger United, Orbit College and JDR Stars all tied on 36 points, while Casric Stars are just a point behind.
The race for promotion is set to heat up as these teams fight for the remaining spots.
However, it’s Durban City who are firmly in the driver’s seat, looking to defend their position and secure the coveted promotion spot.
For City, the goal is not just about moving up; it’s about completing a journey back to the Premiership.
To our lovely fans. We thank you.
— Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) February 14, 2025
This match was an amazing experience and we’re proud to call you the 12th man. Durban, This one is for you pic.twitter.com/MGK7GkzpuG
The club once played in the top-flight as Maritzburg United before their relegation, and the road to recovery has not been easy.
The team rebranded and relocated to Durban at the start of the 2024/2025 season, marking a fresh chapter in the club’s history.
This followed a high-profile falling out with the uMsunduzi Municipality, a partnership that had been in place for over two decades.
The end of the relationship between the municipality and Maritzburg United came after the club’s relegation from the Premiership.
The municipality had been a key financial supporter of the team, but when United lost their top-flight status, they also lost that backing.
This included not only financial support, but also access to the Harry Gwala Stadium, a major blow for the club’s operations.
The 21-year partnership came to an abrupt end, forcing the club to rethink their future.
In the wake of this, Royal AM secured a lucrative three-year deal worth R27 million with the municipality.
However, Royal AM’s recent run-in with SARS (SA Revenue Service) have all but ended that agreement, with the partnership collapsing after just six months.
Behind every strong team is a dedicated technical staff💪
As we gear up for Friday’s clash against Upington City, their hard work keeps us sharp and ready. 🔵⚫#OurCityOurTeam #DurbanCityFC pic.twitter.com/vlyxf1f8Jm
The story of City is expected to gather huge attention if they are able to complete the job, especially with the disintegration of Royal AM coming at the same time.
Previously rivals in the city of Pietermaritzburg, the two clubs have gone in opposite directions over the last 12 months.
Chairman Farook Kadodia’s City will return to action on Friday as they welcome the visit of Upington City to the Chatsworth Stadium in a 3.30pm kick-off.
Other fixtures that could influence the title race will see Casric face bottom-of-the-table Leruma United on Saturday at 3.30pm.
Kicking off at the same time will be JDR’s battle with Milford FC, which will take place at the Giant Stadium.
Meanwhile, Kruger United will travel to the Athlone Stadium to face relegation-threatened Cape Town Spurs, with Orbit College hosting Highbury in Olympia Park, Rustenburg.