Cape Town - Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler is under no illusion as to the task that awaits him at the new Mother City PSL club, but he can’t wait for the 2016-17 campaign to get under way.
Established as a second Cape topflight club - the other is Ajax Cape Town - City came into being after John Comitis purchased the PSL franchise of Mpumalanga Black Aces. Initially, Turkish mentor Muhsin Ertugral was slated to steer the club’s fortunes, but he, instead, decided to throw in his lot with Orlando Pirates.
With that as the scenario, Tinkler, who coached Pirates last season, had no hesitation in accepting when offered the City job.
“It was an easy to decision to come (to the Cape),” said Tinkler at yesterday’s press conference to officially unveil City’s new signings. “Once I understood John’s (Comitis) vision and felt his passion for the game, I jumped at the opportunity. I enjoy a challenge, that just in my nature, We are starting from scratch, but that’s what's so challenging about it. It’s an opportunity to create something that will live on in memory.
“But it will be a massive task. The PSL is not an easy league, Any team, on any day, can beat anybody, that’s how competitive it is. What we will have to do is firstly to stabilise and then ensure that we perform consistently. Most importantly, we have to get on the front foot by starting the season well.
“My aim is to get the team to play entertaining, attractive football, while making sure it wins at the same time. In South Africa, results are crucial, we know people only support when a team is winning. So, while we want to grow this team, and get people to the stadium, we know it’s all about results as well.”
With the relocation to the Cape, City were able to hang on to 14 of last season’s Black Aces players. They will form the base for the squad, while the new players introduced yesterday are Austrian Roland Putsche, Australians Matt Sim and James Brown, Latvian Renars Rode, Ebrahim Seedat, Robyn Johannes, Tshepo Gumede, Shaquille Abrahams, Samora Motloung, Duncan Adonis and Never Ngcuka.
“Obviously, they have not played together much,” said Tinkler. “But, by the time the league starts, we would have eight weeks to prepare. We will be ready, The Black Aces contingent will have a big role to play in assisting the players to adapt, and in passing on information and knowledge of local conditions.”
Comitis, meanwhile revealed details of the club’s home games, while, at the same time, emphasising the thrust behind his chief purpose for forming City.
“The focus is on Cape Town,” said Comitis. “It’s a Cape Town thing, I’m not too concerned about anything else. It’s an entity for Capetonians to consume. While it’s obviously about the new club and the football, it’s also about the city, the vibe, and the people of this place. We have done a lot in a short period of time and captured the hearts of Capetonians of all races and cultures.”
City kick off their debut season in the PSL on August 23 against Polokwane City at the Cape Town Stadium and, three days later, host the mighty Kaizer Chiefs at the same venue in an MTN8 quarterfinal.
“We have secured the Cape Town Stadium for as many games as the venue is available,” said the City boss. “At the moment, we have engaged it for eight of our 15 homes, and are in negotiation for another four, depending on availability. There are a few games when the stadium is booked and we are negotiating with other venues.
“Tickets for the opening game go on sale next Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, John Comitis has cleared up any issues regarding the validity of the Cape Town City name.Earlier this week, Peter du Toit, a former City player in the 1970s and the current owner of the Soccer Laduma newspaper, claimed that he held the rights to the name “Cape Town City”.
At Thursday’s press conference, Comitis said: “People who know me know that I do things by the book. We’ve checked the entire legality of the trademark and it was available to be registered.
“Everything was approved by the PSL. It went through a procedure, and that’s why we are sitting here today talking about the future of Cape Town football. It would not be possible if it wasn’t possible, or if there was an issue with the name.”
Cape Argus