Tinkler hopes misfiring Maritzburg find target

Eric Tinkler sees no reason why his battling Maritzburg United cannot travel to Atteridgeville for Saturday’s Premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns and come away with a victory.

Maritzburg — who only survived in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) via the playoffs last season — have begun without a win (two draws and two defeats) in four matches to wallow in 14th place ahead of their meeting with Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

It should be a clear mismatch‚ on paper at least‚ against the back-to-back defending champions. Still, Tinkler understands the PSL well enough to know that on a given day any team can beat another.

Having tweaked what he can, and free of injuries after a break of more than three weeks for Fifa international games and the MTN8 semifinals‚ the former Bafana Bafana midfield hard man is hoping for a pressure relieving first win this weekend.

“There was the disappointment of a loss against Black Leopards‚” Tinkler said of his side’s 1-0 defeat at Harry Gwala Stadium on August 28 in their last fixture before the break.

“The team performed very well on the evening. And again our biggest problem was we haven’t been scoring.

“And we missed a penalty. We could have at least taken a point‚ but we ended up with zero points. That was a massive disappointment to everyone.

“Psychologically I do think it affected the players. And what’s been important over these past three weeks has been to try to motivate the players

“We have played quite a few friendly games in that time to try and rebuild that confidence‚ and I think the players have responded positively.

“The fact that you’re playing a massive game now against Mamelodi Sundowns‚ what you do know is that the players will be motivated.”