City coach lifts ambitious Nomandela’s spirits
CAPE Town City player Luyolo Nomandela has commended coach Eric Tinkler for bringing back his confidence.
The skilful Ngqeleni-born winger joined City after his contract was terminated by defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns last year after a disappointing and frustrating spell with the African champions.
Nomandela was snatched up by City last year after successful trials.
This was after Ajax Cape Town had earlier on passed up a chance to sign him, citing his weight as a problem.
City offered him a one-year contract with an option to renew.
He immediately showed glimpses of his brilliance when Tinkler played him against SuperSport United in December.
Mayano, as the former Greenpoint High School pupil is affectionately known, said he was grateful to City for giving him a platform to showcase his talent again.
While he said he had been warmly welcomed by management, technical team and his teammates, he singled out the former Bafana Bafana destroyer as being key in reviving his career.
“He [Tinkler] has brought my confidence back. He told me that he believes in me and that all I have to do is continue working hard,” he said.
“He has coached at big clubs so he knows how to deal with players from big clubs.”
Tinkler also sang Nomandela’s praises when he signed him.
He was impressed by the player’s ability to strike the ball with power with both feet and his ability to eliminate opponents.
The 27-year-old hopes to form an integral part of the Citizens in the second round of the PSL.
The side has been in fine form so far even winning the Telkom Knockout.
The Lebohang Manyama-captained side has surprised many with its performances, making it one of the teams to beat this season.
Nomandela impressed in the reserves on Sunday when City lost 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in the Multi-Choice Diski Challenge.
He hopes to crack it into the starting 11.
“When I arrived here the team was already playing well and had already won a cup.
“I hope we will continue playing well and I will contribute to the team whenever I play.”
Nomandela burst onto the PSL scene with Free State Stars in the 2013-14 season.
Under then Stars coach Steve Komphela, Nomandela shone and soon attracted interest from big-spenders Sundowns and Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.
He joined the Brazilians but failed to convince Pitso Mosimane to play him regularly.
He had unsuccessful loan spells with Moroka Swallows and Jomo Cosmos who were both relegated to the National First Division.
After rejoining Sundowns, Mosimane decided Nomandela was not part of his plans last year. He parted ways with the team in October last year before signing for City in December.
Despite many believing that the move to the Chloorkop outfit derailed his development, the pacey former Bafana Bafana player has no regrets about joining the team.
In fact, the whole experience taught him an invaluable lesson.
“Life is all about taking risks. I went there hoping to play but things don’t always work out the way that we want them to.
“That taught me to be patient in football and how to be more professional. I don’t regret joining Sundowns,” he said.
Nomandela said he was thankful to his fans who had motivated him to stay positive.
He promised that he will be better than the Nomandela soccer fans know.
But he is under no illusion of that happening overnight.
“It’s going to take some time. I will take it one step at a time but I promise my supporters that I will be better than the Nomandela that they know,” the Zinduneni village-born player said.