No Tinkler For City’s CAFCL Debut

Cape Town City will have to make their CAF Champions League debut on Saturday without their head coach Eric Tinkler on the bench.

City will be playing in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg against Congo-Brazzaville side AS Otohô on Saturday afternoon at Athlone Stadium.

After Tuesday’s draw against Sekhukhune United, Tinkler was asked if he will sit on the bench on Saturday for the clash and he confirmed that he won’t be.

With CAF competitions assistant coaches are allowed to sit on the bench even though they don’t hold the highest qualification of coaching, but it is different for head coaches as they must obtain the correct licence.

While Tinkler holds a UEFA A Licence, CAF has restrictions that say only holders of the CAF Pro or CAF A Licence may lead a team in the CAFCL, and if a coach is from outside the continent, he needs to have a UEFA Pro Licence.

While there had been hopes that SAFA would seek a reprieve for Tinkler and other South African coaches, as there has been no CAF A Licence courses held in South Africa in recent years, this has not been the case.

City assistant Diogo Peral, who holds a CAF B Licence, will lead from the bench.

“No,” Tinkler answered the question.

“Diogo is gonna be there, Diogo is allowed to be on the bench.”