sportskeeda
Eric Tinkler, the coach of Cape Town City, expressed his discontent and used pointed language after his team conceded all three goals from set pieces in their Betway Premiership clash against Golden Arrows on Saturday.
City struggled to handle the initial cross, which was directed down by Ryan Moon. Themba Mantshinyane seized the loose ball and netted the first goal. Moon then transitioned from provider to scorer, converting a cross from Siyanda Mthanti to double the advantage.
City made an effort to stage a comeback in the second half, with goals from Gabriel Amato and substitute Amadou Soukouna. Nevertheless, they failed to secure the draw, as Nqobeko Dlamini restored Arrows’ lead with a goal resulting from a defensive lapse.
Tinkler was visibly frustrated with his team’s performance, particularly their defense on set pieces. “The players lacked aggression,” he observed. “You can’t just stand there and watch the ball; you must go after it. Winning the first, second, and third balls is essential. It’s a basic requirement.”
He elaborated, “All three goals came from second-phase play. For the first goal, the ball bounced three times without anyone clearing it. There was a clear absence of aggression during set pieces, and no one stepped up.”
While City isn’t on the verge of relegation, Tinkler voiced his concerns about the team’s erratic performance. “I’ve been anxious from the start,” he confessed. “Our success hinges on results, whether winning or losing. Losing raises my worries.”
Despite acquiring several high-profile players during the off-season, City has struggled to find a consistent rhythm, currently sitting in 11th place in the league standings. Soukouna, one of the new signings, made a notable impact after being introduced as a substitute, but Tinkler highlighted the urgent need for robust set-piece defense.
“Am I adjusting my system for one player? It doesn’t suit everyone, does it?” Tinkler replied.
“I brought him in believing it was the right time. Did he score? Was it a sound decision? Yes.
“But at the end of the day, you must defend the damn corner. It’s as simple as that.”
