Coach Eric Tinkler has given an honest assessment of Cape Town City FC’s new recruits following their first official competitive match of the season.
The Citizens have been one of the busiest clubs in this transfer window period, having made nine new signings for the 2024/25 PSL campaign.
The Cape club acquired the services of top players such as Fortune Makaringe, Haashim Domingo, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Carlinhos, Kayden Francis, Elson Sithole, Sibusiso Ziba, Lefa Aphane, and Prins Tjiueza.
Over the weekend, Domingo, Mokotjo, Makaringe, and Francis made their debuts for CT City, who secured a 1-0 slender win over Sekhukhune United in an MTN8 quarter-final tie at New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Following their victory against Babina Noko this past Saturday, CT City will now face Orlando Pirates in the tournament’s semis.
ERIC TINKLER’S VERDICT ON CAPE TOWN CITY’S NEW SIGNINGS DISPLAYS
Tinkler has praised the new players’ performances and believes they have the potential to take the club to greater heights in the new season.
“I was very impressed with all of them. It’s not easy for players to come into a new club and new coach with a new philosophy, new playing style and new system. Some of them never played in the system that we play,” said Tinkler.
“So for them to have adapted this quick as they have is something good. As I said, there were some of the negatives. But that was collective, not individual.
“Overall, I was happy with everybody’s performance. But I think tactically, there is still work that needs to be done in terms of the approach. Remember when we scout these guys, obviously, we scout them, and I always ask this question beforehand: “Have you had to adopt your system?” because of the players.”
Tinkler continued: “No coach should be adapting his system for the players. It’s the players who you bring in that have to adapt to the system you have installed in that regard. I think that is an important factor. We can’t be changing the way we play because of one player. That should never happen.”
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