Tinkler yanks players’ chains
CAPE Town City will field a changed line-up‚ including a first run out of the season for defender Robyn Johannes‚ when they host Bloemfontein Celtic in today’s Telkom Knockout first-round clash.
Coach Eric Tinkler said on the eve of the game the shake-up of the line-up comes after they lost their first ever home game at the weekend‚ beaten 2-1 by newly promoted Baroka FC.
“Obviously there was a lot of disappointment‚ not only from myself but from everyone‚ the players themselves‚” he told a pitch-side press conference at training at the Cape Town Stadium yesterday morning.
“We were extremely disappointed with the result we got against Baroka and the performance was simply not good enough.
“And for this one we are going to make changes . . . if you are not performing‚ you are going to have to step aside and let someone else come in and get an opportunity and that’s what we are going to be doing in this game.”
Tinkler confirmed that Johannes‚ who has been out with injury since signing for the club in July‚ would get the first start.
Judas Moseamedi is able to start after missing out at the weekend because of injury while Lehlohonolo Majoro is out because of a throat infection.
“It doesn’t mean we are taking the game seriously.
“We want to go as far as we can in this competition and get back to winning ways‚ that is what is also very important.
“We are well aware that it will not be an easy game. Looking at Bloem Celtic‚ I personally feel they don’t deserve to be where they are [on the league table] considering the game I’ve watched.
“Obviously they come with a bit more confidence now after their win [at the weekend against Platinum Stars] which gets their second back on track. It’s going to be an extremely tough game.” — TMG Digital not