Tinkler applies Zambian lessons
SuperSport rest key players ahead of CAF Confed Cup clash with Zesco
SuperSport United coach Eric Tinkler will draw on his past experience against Zambian opposition to plot a Matsatsantsa victory against Zesco United in the CAF Confederations Cup tomorrow.
The Zambian giants will meet with the Nedbank Cup holders in the quarterfinal first leg of the continental tournament at the Lucas Moripe Stadium (7pm).
Tinkler will use to his advantage the lessons he learned as assistant coach at Orlando Pirates in 2013 when they did battle against Zesco’s arch-rivals Zanaco FC in the CAF Champions League semifinal.
It was Tinkler and Roger de Sa, who was the Pirates head coach, who successfully plotted the fall of Zanaco to advance to the final.
“Yes, I have done a lot of studying of Zesco... They are well set up, with a lot of pace and speed,” Tinkler said.
“They are an extremely difficult team to break down defensively. The way they play home and away is different. I still think we have a better defence and there are ways for us to break them down.”
Matsatsantsa will enter the game on a high after their 2-0 win against struggling Platinum Stars in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday courtesy of goals from Sifiso Myeni and Jeremy Brockie.
“It was not a good performance but we got to see a few new faces and we got the three points. I told the players that we could not accept anything less than three points.”
After resting a few key players in the league win, Tinkler has faith that he has enough depth in the squad to get a positive result at home before the second leg on September 23.
“We have a long season ahead of us and a number of competitions. You need to have a competitive squad.
“That is why I rested Morgan Gould and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.”
‘ ‘ They are an extremely difficult team to break down