THE dismal performance of Orlando Pirates in their match against the lowly Madagascan amateurs Disciples FC in the first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup last week was not lost on Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler.
Despite playing away from home, the Madagascans pulled off the football upset for the ages by holding the former CAF Champions League champions to a goalless draw. The Madagascans do not have a CAF-approved home venue and play on a neighbouring island and that denies them the home ground advantage.
Tinkler has been keeping an eye on Pirates because they clash on Wednesday at 6pm (postponed from Tuesday) in an MTN8 semi-final in Cape Town.
“We saw them drawing away against the team from Madagascar, so they do have frailties,” said Tinkler. “We have to go out there and we do have a full belief in ourselves.”
The goalless draw in Mauritius would have surprised all and sundry after Pirates showed excellent form on their pre-season tour against formidable opposition in Spain.
“Their preparations have been exceptional after being able to go to Spain and play against the type of opposition they played,” said Tinkler. “They have so many qualities and a massive squad to choose from.”
Tinkler also has a formidable squad from which to choose, but he is disappointed that his latest recruit Amadou Soukouna will not be available for Tuesday’s first-leg semi-final. Soukouna is waiting for a work permit. Tinkler is optimistic about the Frenchman’s impact on the team once he’s registered.
“Amadou has a lot of quality. We forget that this guy played for Under-17 for the French Youth team,” said Tinkler. “He has a lot of qualities as a player. When he was at Maritzburg (United) I was highly impressed. He has the ability and he is comfortable on the ball.
“He’s got strength, and speed, and he can shoot. His freekicks are good. I think he’ll bring a strong element to our team and it’s a pity we couldn’t get him earlier.
“Unfortunately, he was not allowed in the country earlier, but we have managed to resolve that. He is a good professional, and hard-working, and he has fitted in the squad very quickly.
“We are hoping we can get all of that (work permit) done and dusted by the second leg. So, he will be ready then.”
Tinkler said these upcoming knock-out games should help teams like City, Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates to raise their playing standards so that Mamelodi Sundowns can enjoy some competition in the Premiership. In recent seasons, Sundowns have won the Premiership by runaway margins.
“We have to raise the playing levels. Sundowns are walking away with the leagues. All of us, City, Pirates, Chiefs, everybody has to raise the level,” Tinkler told journalists.
“But it’s not us as coaches only. Yes, we coaches we have to raise the level, but the ones who perform on the field are not us, it’s the players.
“You (the clubs) want to put bums in seats. We want to compete against Sundowns (coached by Manqoba Mngqithi), and that means, you have to raise your level individually.”
In the other semi Sundowns hosts Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday night at 7pm.