Cape Town City FC head coach Eric Tinkler has revealed how the recent strike by mini-bus taxi drivers in Cape Town affected some of his rookie players.
The strike started on the third of August, and it lasted for eight days, with the South Africa National Taxi Council [SANTACO] protesting what was described as heavy-handed tactics by the authorities.
Vehicles were impounded for violations such as driving without a licence or registration plates. And it ultimately led to violence in different parts of the city.
In addition to affecting Cape Town City FC players, five people were reportedly killed during the mayhem. These include Law Enforcement Advancement Plan [LEAP] officer Zamikhaya Kwinana and British doctor Kar Hao Teoh.
Meanwhile, over 280,000 learners were hindered from going to school because of the violence or no transport.
And CT City gaffer Eric Tinkler revealed that the strike affected his training programme as some of the players missed sessions.
Rookie players such as rising star Luphumlo Sifumba failed to commute to training because of the fiery chaos.
HOW TINKLERS’S ROOKIES WERE AFFECTED
“Some of our youngsters, Sifumba, Sihle [Doyiza], Luyolo Slatsha [Lolo], couldn’t make it to training. The other guys arrived late purely because of traffic,” said Tinkler.
“But some of the youngsters living in the township were too afraid to come to training. Because there was no transport and Uber drivers were scared. It’s sad, but that’s the reality we are living in.
The CT City gaffer, Tinkler, has, however, remained steadfast that his men will rise above waters despite the hiccups.
Cape Town City are set to lock horns with SuperSport United in a league game on Friday, 18 August 2023, at the TUT Stadium.
The Citizens are unbeaten in the new DStv Premiership season. They beat Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows in the opening two matches of the season.
They are yet to concede, having won the two tightly contested matches by a 1-0 scoreline.
How they started the season has left coach Eric Tinkler brimming with confidence for better strides this season.
However, Tinkler will hope his men will rise to the occasion when they take on SuperSport United.
They are coming from a 2-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at home in an MTN8 quarter-final match.
Plausibly, they gave a good account of themselves throughout that match but were unlucky to concede in the dying stages of the match.
However, Tinkler has been all smiles despite the loss, comforted by how his team has applied all his formulas.
Ahead of the SuperSport United duel, Tinkler has challenged his players to be more offensive and not burden striker Khanyisa Mayo.
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