Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler has said he is happy to be involved again in the CAF Champions League football with the boys of the continental game.
He said this after his team was drawn against Congolese opponents, AS Otoho D’Oyo, in the preliminary round of the 2022-2023 edition of the continental football safari.
“I am excited to be involved in the Champions League again, and the players are looking forward to that opportunity to represent Cape Town City in that prestigious competition,” he said.
The former Bafana Bafana midfielder said getting past the preliminary round was necessary for the Citizens.
“Obviously, the first round is the preliminary round which we need to try and win to move on in the competition,” he said
Tinkler was involved in continental football as an assistant coach for Pirates when they reached the Champions League final in 2013.
He was also in charge of the Buccaneers when they lost in the Confederation Cup final.
Now, the coach said he has to hit the ground running and study the Congolese opposition.
“We have to be working extremely hard to try and get information regarding them, what style of football and brand of football they play so that we can prep ourselves,” Tinkler added.
City chairman John Comitis told the press in South Africa earlier this year that Tinkler had a point to prove in the continental league.
“I mean, it’s really exciting. And I can tell you, he’s [Tinkler] not going to go there to make up the numbers. He’s got serious intentions. He’s asked me to see how we can beef up the squad,” he said.
The draw took place at CAF headquarters in Egypt, where Royal AM were paired against Eswatini league giants Mbabane Highlanders in the Confederation Cup preliminary round.
The overall winner between Cape Town City v D’Oyo will date either Black Bulls of Mozambique or Petro Atletico from Angola.
Other notable fixtures in the Champions League feature Zamalek versus Elect-Sport from Chad, Tanzania’s Simba taking on Malawi champions Nyasa Bullets.
First round games will take place at home on the weekend of September 9, then away on the weekend of 16, 2022.
This will be followed by the second round scheduled for the weekend of October 7 at home and October 14 in the reverse fixture.
Wydad Casablanca of Morocco are the defending champions of the continental league title.
