Tinkler – The Mood’s Not Great

After their CAF Champions League first-leg defeat on Saturday, Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler said that while they lost to a quality team in Petro De Luanda, losing by three goals was obviously disappointing.

City suffered a 3-0 defeat to Petro at the DHL Stadium, a result that seems to almost confirm the Angolans will advance to the Group Stages, barring a miraculous performance in Luanda by City in the second leg.

It is City’s first time in the CAFCL and Tinkler said that while Petro, who reached the semi-finals last year are a top team, he was not happy with how his team gifted them their goals through their own mistakes.

“Ja, obviously disappointed,” Tinkler said in the post-match press conference.

“But I think, when the game started, first 15 minutes, they put us under pressure, especially in our buildup phase. And we struggled to get out of our buildup phase and we were losing the ball cheaply. And they were putting us under pressure, although we managed to maintain our shape and not really give them any major opportunities.

“And then I thought only after about 15 minutes, we started to settle a little bit and then we created one or two half chances from their defensive errors, especially the two centre backs. And we needed to exploit those spaces in behind them a lot more because of the high press that they were applying. And we didn’t do that often enough.

“And the first goal comes from us in possession, losing it cheaply and immediately being caught in behind. And then you find yourself 1-0 down. And halftime, spoke to the players about the importance of especially our fullbacks looking to drop a little bit deeper to receive in order to create space more for our wingers and especially for Goedeman who was playing way, way too high was always playing as a second striker.

“So we wanted that, we also felt that there’s no point in us playing with two holding midfielders, let’s rather take a risk and bring in Mpho Makola who can get us playing, because he will always want the ball and he’ll go search for it and then hopefully with more possession, we’ll start creating more opportunities and more fluidity in our game. Because our fluidity today wasn’t really there. Too many mistakes, too many passing mistakes, too many poor decisions, wrong decisions, all good and well, we get the ball all the way to the final third. But in that final third, don’t have the final qualities, we didn’t show that.

“Ja, but then you concede the second goal from your own corner, which you nearly score from, and then you get caught on the counter. I’m led to believe the guy was offside but that doesn’t really matter, then the penalty and then you find yourself to slow down and chasing.

“And then again, the third one another individual error. And that ends up costing you, not taking away the quality that they possess, because they are a very, very good team with some very, very good players, and right towards the end, then you lose Ambina, it’s about damage limitations at the end of the day.

“We lost to a quality team today, but in reality, the three goals came from us, so that’s the disappointing side for me is, hoped to see a better performance from the team, especially at home. We wanted to go with them. We explained to the players that you must go out there play without fear. It’s important yes, that we try not to concede any goals. But we need to go out there and be positive and look to win. And unfortunately, we didn’t look ourselves today.”

Tinkler added that the mood in the dressing room wasn’t great after the game, but they’ll have to pick themselves up.

“Now obviously it’s difficult, sombre, the mood’s not great, you know, it’s very, very quiet,” Tinkler added.

“But that’s the harsh reality and now we have to go there and we going to have to fight, for some pride.”

In this edition of iDiski Times, you can read the full interview with Khune about his comeback with the Glamour Boys, his weight loss journey and plea to support Arthur Zwane. We also chat to Lyle Lakay after his Deadline Day loan from Mamelodi Sundowns to Cape Town City, while former Orlando Pirates skipper Lucky Lekgwathi assesses the Buccaneers transfer window. In the rumour mill we heard whispers about Kaizer Chiefs parting ways with Nike after 21 years and Daniel Akpeyi being considered by Chippa United. We also speak to Eric Tinkler ahead of his side’s CAF Champions League clash with Petro de Luanda. Read the full edition of iDiski Times below: