Comitis Says Tinkler Has Serious CAFCL Intentions

Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has told iDiski Times how excited he is after the club secured second place in the DStv Premiership and qualification to next season’s CAF Champions League.

It is City’s highest ever finished in the league, bettering the third-place finish that Eric Tinkler secured in 2016/2017, during his first stint with the club. This was confirmed after Royal AM and Orlando Pirates drew 2-2 on Friday night, ending both those teams hopes of jumping above City.

Comitis, speaking to iDiski Times journalist Rob Delport on Saturday, said it was a great achievement for the club, and he was proud of how the players responded in 2022.

“Wow, CAF hey, our first big one,” Comitis told iDiski Times.

“The first time we finished second, so very proud of the boys and the way they turned the season around. And at the end of the day, we’ve got the quality in the players and it’s showing, I hope we just build from strength to strength and prepare ourselves. They deserve the rest.

“But they had a formidable second round for the league. And I think it was well deserved second spot.

“Every year, we’ve tried to see how we can raise the level, at least trying and better ourselves in some way.

“This is certainly one way. We still want to win the domestic league. But we have a team that can challenge I think for the next season.

“A lot is going to depend on the load that we have in Africa, hoping to get past the first few rounds, it’s a challenge on its own. Then we’ll take it a step at a time.

“At this moment just let the players bask in the success. I’m happy for them, getting good bonuses as long as well and they deserve it.”

BREAKING:@CapeTownCityFC have qualified for the 2022/23 CAF Champions League campaign after securing second place in the #DStvPrem!

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺!👏 pic.twitter.com/cv12h3Sf2q

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) May 27, 2022

The City boss said his coach is ready to compete in the continental competition, with Tinkler being no stranger to CAF competitions, having previously guided Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United to CAF Confederation Cup finals, while he was Roger De Sa’s assistant when Pirates reached the CAF Champions League final nine years ago.

“I mean, it’s really exciting,” Comitis continued.

“And I can tell you, he’s (Tinkler) not going to go there to make up the numbers.

“He’s got serious intentions, he’s asked me to see how we can beef up the squad.

“But I’m keeping the team together, keeping away from all the temptations of transfers.

“We need to keep this team together now and try and see if we can do something on the African continent. We are very excited about the prospect.”

It will be City’s second excursion into continental football, after playing in the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2017/2018 season, where they exited in the preliminary rounds under Benni McCarthy, in his first season at the club.

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟:

Royal AM move into third place on the log, level on 47 points with Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs but have the better goal difference. Unless Orlando Pirates beat SuperSport United 𝗯𝘆 𝟱 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 on Monday, Royal AM are in the CAF Confederation Cup. pic.twitter.com/0YN3vePIVm

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) May 27, 2022