Tinkler relies on experience

Eric Tinkler (above) will be calling on his experience in Africa to guide his SuperSport United side into the semifinals of the Caf Confederation Cup.

An ideal start for Matsatsantsa A Pitori in their quarterfinal, second leg against Zesco United this afternoon at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium would be the cushion of an early goal, which will put the capital city-based side in a good position to reach the last-four following their goalless draw in the first leg in Tshwane last weekend.

“I have the advantage that I have been there and I am experienced,” said Tinkler, who reached the final of this competition with Orlando Pirates in 2015.

“It is a massive game, we have been working on our offensive final third and the decision-making process in terms of what we do when we get into those situations because I think that was kind of lacking from the last two games we played, against Zesco and against Chippa United and I think we need to change the formation,” he added.

“Now they (Zesco) will need to look for that goal and we must take our chances when we get them. They are very good team and are well structured by the coach and we saw that.”

Zesco reached the Caf Champions League semifinals last year, where they lost to Mamelodi Sundowns, but they are not in the best run of form at the moment under Serbian coach Zlatko Krmpotic.

They have not won any of their last five matches in all competitions and were thumped 3-0 at home on Wednesday by Lumwana Radiants in the Zambian Super League.