Comitis ‘hugely impressed’ with coach Tinkler
CAPE TOWN CITY have an opportunity to make good on the first instalment of achievement when they face off with SuperSport United in the Telkom Knockout Final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday (kickoff 6pm).
Established in June when John Comitis bought the PSL franchise of Mpumalanga Black Aces and relocated the club to the Mother City, it was always a toss-up as to how things would go. While Comitis was gushing with big dreams and lofty visions, there was always the possibility that things could fall flat. It’s just the nature of this unpredictable sport…
But if there’s one thing about football, it’s that it never deserts the committed, the dedicated, the determined and the industrious. With meticulous planning, sound and professional organisation, an astute, intuitive coach in Eric Tinkler and an enthusiastic squad of footballers devoted to the task at hand, City, against all odds, have the whole of the country in awe of what they have done in a short space of time: Top of the PSL standings, on a nine-game unbeaten streak (eight wins and a draw) and, now, on Saturday, a maiden appearance in a cup final.
“When we first put everything together, I always knew we had a team to at least finish in a top eight position,” said Comitis.
“And, irrespective of all the planning, and everything we did, you never really know what you have until that first game (which City won, beating Polokwane City 2-0 in August). Then, after watching the team for the first few games, I knew that the only thing we needed to get right was consistency. The ability was there, it was just a case of ensuring that the players turned up fully motivated on match days.
“The main thing that makes this squad so successful is that they are hungry for success. Many of them have been discarded by previous clubs and they have a lot to prove.
“I always knew that all I had to do was to fix the environment around them and offer them a club where they can be what and who they want to be; a place where they can play football to their full capacity.”
Well, you can’t argue with Comitis’ opinion – because he has certainly made good on his words.
When City was first mooted, even before June, when Comitis was still putting the deal together, his plan was always to get then-Black Aces mentor Muhsin Ertugral to continue as coach of his new club. Ertugral was initially amenable and had already sat down and discussed the way forward with Comitis at a meeting in the Mother City. But Ertugral was then offered the Orlando Pirates job, a position he had always coveted, and he was soon on his way to the Soweto club. It opened up the opportunity for Comitis to offer Tinkler the post as City coach – and the rest, as they always say, is history.
“It was a blessing in disguise (Ertugral joining Pirates),” said Comitis. “It allowed me to bring Eric (Tinkler) in, and I can honestly say I have never worked with a coach as methodical, organised and structured as him. I have been hugely impressed.
“He has allowed the players to grow and mature, he has elevated them, and they have responded by playing some superb football.”