Coach Tinkler preserves the dignity of Msunduzi
THINGS nearly went pear-shaped for the City of Choice when the soccer team from this city, Maritzburg United, was almost relegated at the end of the 2018/19 season. Maritzburg finished last season with 27 points from 30 matches, and having scored 22 goals, while conceding 32.
The Team of Choice changed coaches many times. After helping Maritzburg United to finish the 2017/18 season lying on 4th position, and making it to the Nedbank Final in the 2017/18 season, things did not go well for Fadlu Davids in the 2018/19 season. Maritzburg United ended up firing Davids after the team ended up at the end of the log with only 11 points after 14 games.
Muhsin Ertugral who took over from Fadlu Davids was fired after failing to win even a single game in 5 matches. Tinkler quickly showed results in a very dire situation, given that the team had to win all remaining 12 games to avoid relegation.
Tinkler who once helped Orlando Pirates to reach CAF Finals and Cape Town City to win the Telkom Khockout, lived up to his reputation.
Tinkler moved the team from the tailend, in the process, qualifying for the playoffs against Royal Eagles and Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila. Maritzburg United cruised through the playoff’s by winning all their matches.
The Chairman of Maritzburg was encouraged by achievement and renewed Tinkler’s contract with the team. The relegation of the team would have disappointed many loyal fans who have been filling Harry Gwala Stadium although the team was not doing well. Without another team from the Umgungundlovu region, relegation would have the fans a big blow.
Tinkler is also commended for renewing the form and performance of players who seemed were no longer needed from other teams, in order to avoid relagation.
That includes players like Thabiso Kutumela who was loaned from Orlando Pirates and Allana Kateregga and Judas Mosemaedi both loaned from Cape Town City.
Tinkler proved his mettle as a tactician since the teams from which these players came had given up on them but he gave them a full opportunity to save their footballing futures. UMgungundlovu region can still be proud to have a team in the Premier Soccer League and credit goes to Eric Tinkler as his achievements show.