Thabo Nodada is edging closer to a return to top-flight football after being spotted in the colours of newly-promoted Betway Premiership side Durban City FC during a pre-season friendly against Golden Arrows on Saturday night.
The 30-year-old midfielder recently parted ways with Cape Town City FC following the club’s relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. After nearly a decade in the Mother City — and frequently linked with moves to one of the ‘Big Three’ — Nodada now looks set to begin a new chapter in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Having joined City in 2015 during the club’s formation through the purchase of Mpumalanga Black Aces’ top-flight status, Nodada was one of the few players who made the transition from Mpumalanga to Cape Town.
📸 Snaps of this mornings friendly game against Durban City FC#10betgoldenarrows #sthendeway #greenandgold pic.twitter.com/CyAFiZ6jbb
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) July 19, 2025
Over the years, he became a reliable and hardworking figure in the engine room, even attracting interest from clubs in Gauteng. But he remained loyal to City until their recent demotion.
Nodada’s exit comes as part of a major clear-out at the Western Cape outfit, who have released several senior players in the wake of relegation. Among those to depart alongside him are captain Thamsanqa Mkhize, Venezuelan attacker Darwin González, goalkeeper Darren Keet, midfielders Fortune Makaringe, Haashim Domingo, Elson Sithole and Kamohelo Mokotjo.
At Durban City, Nodada finds familiar company.
Both Domingo and Keet joined the KwaZulu-Natal side earlier this week and were also part of the squad for the Arrows friendly. All three players share a common link in newly appointed head coach Gavin Hunt, who mentored Keet and Domingo during his successful spell at Bidvest Wits.
A great test today as we faced off against Golden Arrows FC in a friendly match. Strong team chemistry on display as we continue building towards the season ahead.
💙⚽ #DurbanCityFC #OurCityOurTeam #PreSeasonWork pic.twitter.com/PvhmWjtnTn
— Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) July 19, 2025
Domingo enjoyed two seasons at Wits between 2018 and 2020, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 57 matches. Keet, meanwhile, was instrumental during Wits’ title-winning campaign in 2016/17 and made 139 appearances during his time at the club, keeping 46 clean sheets.
Durban City’s rebuild is taking clear shape under Hunt, who replaced Simo Dladla shortly after the club secured promotion to the Betway Premiership. Dladla guided the team to top-flight status, but the club opted for more experienced leadership moving forward.
To further strengthen their technical structure, City have also appointed Ernst Middendorp as Technical Director. The German coach returns to familiar territory, having previously led the club during their Maritzburg United days.
With big-name signings arriving and a seasoned technical team in place, Nodada’s prospective move would add further pedigree to Durban City’s ambitious debut campaign in the Premiership.
