PIC: Darren Keet had been a rock for Durban City through the 2026 Nedbank Cup campaign

Durban City have reached a second Nedbank Cup final as they prepare to take on TS Galaxy in the 2026 decider at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on May 2.
They will hope to make up for the disappointment of defeat in the decider to Free State Stars in 2018, when the club campaigned as Maritzburg United.
It has been an extraordinary, record-breaking run to the final for the Durban club this season as we look back at how they got there.

LAST 32 – DURBAN CITY 0-0 CHIPPA UNITED
A tight Last 32 clash against fellow Betway Premiership side Chippa United that could not be settled in 120 minutes.
The tie went to penalties and, despite City missing three of their own spot-kicks, they triumphed 3-2, with veteran goalkeeper Darren Keet the hero as he kept Chippa out.
Keet saved superbly from Justice Figuareido in the first half, while at the other end Chippa keeper Dumisani Msibi superbly stopped Terrence Mashego’s header. He also made fine stops from Letsie Koapeng, Sphiwe Mahlangu and Saziso Magawana.
Keet made three saves in the shoot-out to put his side into the Last 16 on a night that was all about the two keepers.
Team: Darren Keet, Fezile Gcaba, Siphamandla Ncanana, Liam de Kock, Terrence Mashego (Falakhe Tshanini 78’), Kyle Jurgens, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Thabo Nodada (Haashim Domingo 67’), Samkelo Maseko (Siphiwe Mahlangu 59’), Letsie Koapeng (Ronaldo Maarman 59’) [Luphumlo Sifumba 118’], Saziso Magawana (Onele Rulwana 78’).
Coach: Sinethemba Badela

LAST 16 – UPINGTON CITY 0-0 DURBAN CITY
For the second round in a row, Durban City needed penalties to advance following a 0-0 draw, this time against Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in the Northern Cape.
They triumphed 2-0 in the shoot-out after the home side missed all four of their spot-kicks, with Keet again the hero for the visitors.
It was an incredibly warm afternoon in Upington, making the game a test of endurance as much as anything else, and Thabo Nodada fired over from close range early on.
The home side had a chance through Siyabonga Khumalo, who shot wide, while Siyabonga Mthombeni twice failed to hit the target.
Upington City’s Rowan Visagie was sent off for two bookable offences, giving the visitors a man advantage, but they could not force a goal as Letsie Koapeng missed a late chance.
Team: Darren Keet, Emmanuel Jalai, Siphamandla Ncanana, Liam de Kock, Terrence Mashego (Luphumlo Sifumba 103’), Athini Jodwana, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Thabo Nodada (Letsie Koapeng 63’), Onele Rulwana (Saziso Magawana 46’), Trevor Mokwena (Haashim Domingo 67’), Siphiwe Mahlangu (Joslin Kamatuka 70’).
Coach: Pitso Dladla

QUARTER-FINALS – LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS 1-1 DURBAN CITY
For a Nedbank Cup record third time in a row, Durban City needed penalties to advance as they this time dispatched local rivals Lamontville Golden Arrows after the teams played to a 1-1 draw at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Keet was once again the hero as he saved from Ayanda Jiyane in the shoot-out to see City through 5-4 on penalties.
They took the lead after 36 minutes as Fezile Gcaba scored their first goal in the competition with a fine finish. It was also his first goal for the club since a move from Richards Bay at the start of the season.
But Golden Arrows, with former Nedbank Cup winner Manqoba Mngqithi at the helm, fought back and equalised via Thokozani Khumalo in the second half.
City were reduced to 10 men when Athini Jodwana received a second booking on 79 minutes, but held on for penalties and triumphed in the post-match shoot-out.
Team: Darren Keet, Fezile Gcaba, Siphamandla Ncanana, Mfanafuthi Mkhize, Terrence Mashego (Siphiwe Mahlangu 76’), Athini Jodwana, Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Thabo Nodada 69’), Kyle Jurgens, Samkelo Maseko (Joslin Kamatuka 68’) [Ronaldo Maarman 112’], Trevor Mokwena (Emmanuel Jalai 68’), Saziso Magawana (Luphumlo Sifumba 88’).
Coach: Pitso Dladla

SEMI-FINALS – DURBAN CITY 1-0 CASRIC STARS
Durban City took on Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars in the semi-finals after the latter had defeated Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu earlier in the competition.
As predicted, it was no easy ride, but an own goal from Stars defender Sphamandla Mlilo after six minutes ultimately settled the contest.
Terrence Mashego put in a cross from the left and, as Mlilo tried to clear the ball while facing his own goal, he only succeeded in putting it into his own net.
Mlilo had a chance at the other end almost immediately, but could not steer his header from a free-kick on goal, while Stars goalkeeper Tshigwana Mthombeni, son of owner-coach Joseph ‘Bucs’ Mthombeni, had to be smart to deny Saziso Magawana at the back post as it was almost 2-0.
City should have added a second when Jean Lwamba was supplied from the right and had only to steer the ball into the Stars net, but ballooned his shot high and wide.
Stars had an excellent chance to equalise just before the hour mark when Decide Chauke was through on goal, but the ball was taken off him just as he was about to shoot with only Keet to beat.
Team: Darren Keet, Emmanuel Jalai, Siphamandla Ncanana, Mfanafuthi Mkhize (Fezile Gcaba 46’), Terrence Mashego, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Thabo Nodada, Samkelo Maseko (Siphiwe Mahlangu 72’), Haashim Domingo (Luphumlo Sifumba 55’), Saziso Magawana, Jean Lwamba (Trevor Mokwena 72’).
Coach: Pitso Dladla