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Durban City fans have urged chairman Farook Kadodia to do everything possible to bring the club back to Pietermaritzburg, saying local supporters have gone too long without top-level football in the city.

Their plea comes after the former Maritzburg United club’s relocation to Chatsworth in Durban following its relegation from the PSL, which ended a three-year sponsorship agreement with Msunduzi Municipality that was tied to the team remaining in the Premier Soccer League.

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For many fans, the move left a major void in Pietermaritzburg’s football scene.

That frustration was clear on Saturday when Durban City brought their recently won Nedbank Cup trophy to Pietermaritzburg to celebrate with supporters.

Scottsville Mall was packed with legions of fans from late morning to early afternoon, with many lining up to take pictures with the trophy and players, while others joined competitions for club merchandise.

Among them was loyal supporter Zee Shezi, known as the “Queen of Durban City”, who said it was painful to see the club enjoying success away from what fans still regard as its true home.

Shezi said Kadodia’s decision to bring the trophy to Pietermaritzburg showed that he still values the club’s bond with its supporters in the city.

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But she stressed that fans now want more than symbolic gestures; they want the team back.

“As a die-hard supporter, I feel heartbroken that the club had to relocate to Durban,” she said.

“He brought the trophy home for us to celebrate, and that says a lot,” she said.

Now we want him to fight with everything he has to bring the team back to Pietermaritzburg. We are fully behind him.

Supporter Thulani Mbhele echoed that call, saying the team’s absence has robbed local football lovers of regular matchday excitement.

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He said fans are proud of the club’s recent success, but that does not take away the disappointment of not being able to watch their team play at home.

“The chairman must do whatever it takes to bring the club back to Pietermaritzburg,” he said.

Kadodia said the trophy visit was meant to reassure supporters that the club has not turned its back on Pietermaritzburg.

He acknowledged the strong support base in the city, pointing to the fans who travelled to Polokwane for the final of the Nedbank Cup.

He also reflected on the pain of the club’s relegation in May 2023, describing it as one of the darkest periods for both management and supporters.

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Kadodia said the club’s roots remain firmly in Pietermaritzburg, even though recent success has come since the move to Durban.

Vice-captain Mfanafuthi Mkhize said the team’s attention is now on preparing for the MTN 8.