Daine Klate, newly appointed head coach of Durban City FC’s DStv Diski Challenge team, has opened up about the scale of the task ahead as he takes charge of the club’s reserve setup.
The ex-Bafana Bafana winger joined the technical team following Durban City’s elevation to the Premier Soccer League, and is now focused on assembling and developing a formidable Under-23 squad to compete at the highest level.
Durban City had to start from scratch in the DDC after their previous reserve squad was disbanded in 2023 during the club’s relegation days as Maritzburg United.
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Now back in the top-flight, the club was obliged to re-establish a youth team to compete in the PSL’s development competition.
Klate’s new-look side made their return to action over the weekend, holding Orlando Pirates juniors to a 3-3 draw in an entertaining opening fixture.
Despite the limited preparation time, the coach is encouraged by how his group has responded.
“We basically had to build a team from zero,” Klate told FarPost.
“We spent two to three weeks assessing players and eventually managed to put a squad together. Considering that, the progress has been positive so far.”