Durban City secured their first victory of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season after claiming an impressive 2-0 win over Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Jean Lwamba and Gaston Sirino proved decisive as the Citizens collected all three points and moved up to seventh place on the league table with five points from their opening four matches.
For Kruger United, the difficult start to life in the Premiership continued. The Village Boys remain without a victory after four matches and dropped to the bottom of the standings with just one point.
Lwamba Gives City Dream Start
Durban City could hardly have asked for a better opening, taking the lead after just seven minutes through Lwamba.
The attacker produced a composed finish to give the visitors an early advantage and immediately put Kruger under pressure in front of their home supporters.
Despite the setback, Kruger responded positively and began enjoying more possession as the first half progressed. They forced several corner kicks and looked increasingly dangerous from set-piece situations.
Their best opportunity to equalise arrived in the 23rd minute when Kwanda Mngonyama found himself with a free header on target. However, Durban City goalkeeper Fredrick Asare produced an excellent save to preserve his side’s advantage.
The Citizens then had an opportunity to double their lead when Samkelo Maseko created a chance for Tylo Sanger, but the defender was unable to convert.
Durban City consequently went into the halftime break holding a slender 1-0 advantage.
Sirino Opens His Durban City Account
City started the second half brightly, with Sirino immediately threatening Kruger’s defence.
The experienced Uruguayan initially looked certain to score, only for a crucial defensive block to deny him.
Kruger’s resistance did not last much longer.
In the 50th minute, Sirino found the breakthrough to score his first goal for Durban City and extend the visitors’ advantage to 2-0.
The goal provided the Citizens with valuable breathing room and left Kruger facing an uphill battle to rescue anything from the contest.
The Village Boys continued searching for a way back into the match and once again turned to Mngonyama for an attacking threat. The veteran found himself with another opportunity at close range, but Asare was equal to the challenge and produced another important stop.
The Ghanaian goalkeeper’s performance proved crucial as Durban City protected their two-goal advantage and secured a clean sheet alongside their first league victory of the campaign.
Citizens Finally Get Their Reward
After beginning the season without a victory in their opening three league matches, the result provides Durban City with a welcome boost as they look to establish themselves in the Premiership.
The combination of Lwamba’s early strike, Sirino’s first goal for the club and Asare’s impressive work between the posts ultimately proved too much for Kruger United.
For the Village Boys, meanwhile, the search for a first victory of the season continues after another frustrating evening in which they created opportunities but were unable to convert them.
Full-time: Kruger United 0-2 Durban City.
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