Joslin Kamatuka lifts Nedbank Cup as Durban City beat TS Galaxy 2-1
Joslin Kamatuka lifts the Nedbank Cup as Durban City beat TS Galaxy 2-1, earning his first South African trophy and CAF qualification and a historic boost
Joslin Kamatuka, the 34-year-old Namibian winger, was part of Durban City FC’s squad that sealed a 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy to win the Nedbank Cup, marking his first major honour in South African top-flight football. The forward, who has spent eight seasons in the country since his move in 2018, saw his team recover from a first-half setback to capture the club’s first Nedbank Cup title. Durban City’s triumph completes a remarkable 12-month rise for the club after promotion and rebranding, while also securing qualification for the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup. Kamatuka’s presence throughout the cup run, despite injury challenges, underscores his contribution to the club’s rapid ascent.
Kamatuka Celebrates First South African Trophy
Joslin Kamatuka described the moment as a dream come true after Durban City secured the Nedbank Cup despite not featuring in the final due to recent fitness concerns. The win gives Kamatuka his first piece of silverware since relocating to South African football, a milestone he celebrated with teammates and club staff. His short post-match remarks reflected relief and gratitude, as the winger acknowledged the significance of the achievement for himself and the club.
The trophy marks an individual landmark as well as a collective one, establishing Kamatuka among Namibian players who have succeeded on the South African stage. While he did not play in the 90 minutes at the final, his contributions in earlier rounds and across seasons were an integral part of Durban City’s campaign. The victory is likely to be remembered as one of the defining moments of his career in the region.
A Final Marked by an Own Goal and Redemption
The Nedbank Cup final unfolded as a tense and dramatic contest, with Durban City trailing at half-time after an own goal by striker Jean Mwambu in the 44th minute. The early blow threatened to derail Durban’s plan, but the team regrouped and responded in the second half with renewed urgency. Mfanafuthi Mkhize levelled the match in the 58th minute, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Jean Mwambu went from unfortunate scorer of an own goal to match-winner when he converted in the 72nd minute, redeeming his earlier mistake and securing the 2-1 victory. The turnaround highlighted the team’s resilience and capacity to absorb pressure in a major final. For Durban City, the sequence of events — an own goal, an equaliser, and a late winner — captured both the fickle nature of football and the drama typical of cup finals.
Kamatuka’s Journey Through South African Football
Kamatuka’s path to the Nedbank Cup podium has been steady, beginning with his move to South Africa in 2018 when he joined Cape Umoya. He later earned a transfer to Baroka FC in 2020 and moved to Maritzburg United in 2023, a club that rebranded as Durban City FC in August 2024. Across those stops, Kamatuka developed a reputation for direct wing play, opportunistic finishing, and experience in promotion battles.
Last season he played a crucial role in Durban City’s push for promotion, finishing as the club’s top goalscorer as they won the Motsepe Foundation Championship. That campaign laid the foundation for the club’s return to the Betway Premiership and provided Kamatuka with momentum and confidence heading into top-flight competition. His experience and leadership have been assets in a squad navigating the pressures of promotion, rebranding, and competing on multiple fronts.
Injury Battle and Return to the Matchday Squad
Kamatuka’s road to the final was interrupted by a series of injuries that limited his playing time during key moments of the cup run. He missed the Round of 32 clash with Chippa United after sustaining a hamstring problem, and he only returned to feature in the Round of 16 against Upington City and the quarter-final against Golden Arrows. After those appearances he withdrew from matchday squads to focus on rehabilitation and ensure a full recovery.
The winger revealed that the hamstring issue had been affecting him since the previous year and that he began an intensive rehabilitation program in December. Although he has now been cleared fully fit, he did not take part in the final and is still awaiting his first competitive match since completing the recovery process. The club’s medical staff have been cautious to protect his long-term fitness, prioritising gradual reintegration after an extended layoff.
Durban City’s Rapid Rebrand and Rise
Durban City’s transformation over the past 12 months has been striking, beginning with the club’s official rebrand in August 2024 and relocation from Pietermaritzburg to Chatsworth, Durban. The move coincided with on-field success: the side won the Motsepe Foundation Championship to secure automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership. Their debut season at the top level has been strong, with the club sitting seventh on the league table and having already secured safety with four games remaining.
The Nedbank Cup triumph adds another layer to the club’s accelerated progress, completing a sequence that includes promotion, a stable league campaign, and a domestic cup victory. For supporters and club executives, the combination of administrative overhaul and competitive achievement validates the strategic decisions made during the rebrand and relocation. The win also elevates Durban City’s profile domestically and opens avenues for continental competition next season.
Cup Win Secures Continental Qualification and Future Tests
By lifting the Nedbank Cup, Durban City have secured qualification for the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, offering both the club and players like Joslin Kamatuka the opportunity to compete on the continental stage. That qualification brings new logistical, sporting, and financial considerations, as the squad will need to prepare for a longer season with travel across Africa and a potentially more congested calendar. For Kamatuka, continental football presents a chance to showcase his abilities beyond the domestic arena.
The club’s management will now face decisions on squad depth, rotation policies, and injury management to navigate domestic league commitments alongside continental fixtures. Durban City’s league position and cup success provide momentum, but the upcoming season will test whether the club can sustain competitive standards against a higher volume of opponents. For Kamatuka personally, the CAF campaign could offer renewed playing opportunities once he is fully integrated back into match action.
The Nedbank Cup final caps a 12-month narrative of transformation for Durban City and a significant personal landmark for Joslin Kamatuka, who has been part of the club’s rise since the promotion campaign. As Durban City prepare for continental qualification and Kamatuka works to reestablish his place in the starting XI, both player and club will aim to build on the momentum generated by a dramatic cup victory.
