Maritzburg United – The Team of Choice, Reborn as Durban City
Maritzburg United Football Club, affectionately known as The Team of Choice, has long represented the heart and soul of Pietermaritzburg football. Established in 1979 and revived in 1997 under the vision of the Kadodia family, the club battled its way to the Premier Soccer League (PSL), earned national respect for its community-driven ethos, and became a beacon of KwaZulu-Natal pride. In 2024, the club entered a new chapter — relocating to Durban and rebranding as Durban City FC.
🟨 SECTION 2: Club Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maritzburg United Football Club (now Durban City FC) |
| Nickname | The Team of Choice |
| Founded | 1979 (re-established in 1997) |
| Location | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal → Durban (2024) |
| Stadium (historic) | Harry Gwala Stadium |
| New Base (2024) | Durban (stadium TBD) |
| Owner | Farook Kadodia |
| Chairman | Farook Kadodia |
| Sponsors | Msunduzi Municipality (historic) |
| Status | Active (Now known as Durban City FC) |
🟨 SECTION 3: Origins and Early History (1979–1997)
A Community Club is Born
Maritzburg United was founded in 1979 by local residents of Pietermaritzburg to give the city professional football representation. During the 1980s, the club competed in the Federation Professional League (FPL) and made headlines by winning the FPL Cup final in 1983 against Swaraj FC at a packed Curries Fountain Stadium.
Kadodia’s Entry
Farook Kadodia, just 19 years old at the time, became deeply involved in the club’s affairs early on. However, the original club eventually folded, only for the Kadodia brothers, Farook and Imraan, to resurrect it in 1997, with a long-term plan to return professional football to the city.
🟨 SECTION 4: The Climb to the PSL (1997–2008)
From Mvela to the Big Time
- 2004: Appointed former Bafana coach Trott Moloto to lead a professional push.
- 2005: Purchased the PSL franchise of Tembisa Classic, officially returning to top-tier football.
- Setback: The team was relegated after one season. The club blamed the infamous “second-season syndrome”.
- 2008: After years of rebuilding in the Mvela Golden League, the club earned promotion back to the PSL.
🔝 The promotion in 2008/09 marked the true return of top-flight football to the “City of Choice.”
🟨 SECTION 5: Glory Years and Top-Flight Stability (2008–2022)
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| PSL Return | 2008–2009 Season |
| Best League Finish | 🥉 4th Place (2017–18 Season) |
| Cup Final | 🏆 2019 Nedbank Cup Finalist (lost to Free State Stars) |
| Coaches | Ernst Middendorp, Fadlu Davids, Steve Komphela |
| Fan Culture | Passionate home crowds at Harry Gwala Stadium |
The club became known for its tactical discipline, strong defensive structure, and its ability to frustrate big-name teams.
🟨 SECTION 6: Ownership and Management
Kadodia Leadership
- Chairman: Farook Kadodia
- CEO: Younus Kadodia
- Executive Directors: Imraan Kadodia, Abu Khatib, Bashir Moosa
🔑 The Kadodia family has been instrumental in keeping the club professionally run and deeply connected to its community.
🟨 SECTION 7: Vision and Community Mission
More Than Just a Club
“To make Maritzburg United both inspirational and aspirational… and nurture youth into exceptional role players.”
- Community outreach through football development
- School and youth training programs across Pietermaritzburg
- Upholding ethics, sportsmanship, and loyalty
Maritzburg United was not just about winning — it was about legacy and upliftment.
🟨 SECTION 8: Recent Challenges and the Name Change (2022–2024)
A New Chapter Begins
- The club struggled with PSL survival in recent seasons.
- Relegated in 2023 to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
- In 2024, the PSL approved a name and location change.
- 🔄 The club is now officially called Durban City FC and will be based in Durban.
This marks a controversial but strategic shift, aiming to tap into Durban’s larger commercial and football market.
🟨 SECTION 9: Why Maritzburg United (Durban City FC) Still Matters
| ✅ Club Legacy Highlights |
|---|
| ✔ One of the few community-founded PSL clubs still surviving |
| ✔ Represented Pietermaritzburg proudly for over 40 years |
| ✔ Reached a major cup final and held their own in top flight |
| ✔ Nurtured youth and maintained strong local support |
| ✔ A model of ethical and principled club management |
🟨 SECTION 10: Final Thoughts
“They never had the biggest budget, but they always had the biggest heart.”
– Longtime Pietermaritzburg supporter
Maritzburg United’s story is one of grit, community pride, and football sustainability. While the club’s identity is now transitioning under the Durban City FC banner, its spirit — forged in the terraces of Harry Gwala Stadium — will always echo through South African football. The Team of Choice may be changing names, but its legacy is written in PSL history.
