Tinkler’s verdict on Luyolo Slatsha’s first season in CT City’s senior team

Cape Town City FC mentor Eric Tinkler has given his verdict on Luyolo Slatsha’s first season in the DStv Premiership.

Slatsha was promoted to the Citizens’ senior team in July 2023. The 21-year-old footballer has put in a good shift to earn his place in the starting eleven under the tutelage of Tinkler.

In the just-ended DStv Premiership term, the gifted central midfielder played 20 matches across all competitions for the Cape club.

He helped CT City finish in fifth position with 45 points from 30 outings. They missed out on a CAF Confederation Cup spot on goal difference, which separated them from Sekhukhune United, who finished fourth on the table.

ERIC TINKLER ON LUYOLO SLATSHA’S PERFORMANCE

Tinkler believes that Slatsha had a decent first season in the first team and he can only grow to become a better player than he is right now.

“I think he did very well, especially when he came in. I think his first two games, he really played well,” said Tinkler.

“And then, being a young player coming from the development side, a bit of reality kicked in, and he kind of took a dip and had two or three poor matches.

“I then took him out, and I spoke with him, and he eventually came back, and he really finished the season really strong when we played against [Mamelodi] Sundowns. So, I’m very happy, and he’s only going to get better with time, in my view.”

TINKLER ON WHAT SLATSHA DOES OUTSIDE FOOTBALL

Tinkler commended Slatsha’s way of doing things outside his football career as the footballer is one of South Africa’s budding young real estate entrepreneurs.

“Bright kid, he knows what he wants in life, and he has no doubts about himself and what he wants to achieve,” he added.

“I think he himself recognises that his career as a footballer can be limited. So, he’s really a great example. I would love to see more players thinking like ‘Lolo’ thinks.”

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