Tinkler highlights Domingo, Nodada and Sifumba’s progress at Durban City

Durban City coach Eric Tinkler says former Cape Town City players Haashim Domingo, Thabo Nodada and Luphumlo Sifumba have all developed since reuniting with him at the club.

The trio featured as Durban City beat AS Port-Louis 2000 3-1 in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary-round tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.

Domingo opened the scoring in the 15th minute and has now scored twice in two matches for his new club, a marked improvement on his record during his previous spell under Tinkler at Cape Town City.

“Haashim has always been technically a very good player. Where he has lacked is his ability in the final third and scoring goals,” said Tinkler, who most recently worked with Asante Kotoko in Ghana.

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder said goals and assists are among the first measures used to assess players operating in the number 10 position in European leagues.

“If you look at Haashim’s CV, you’re not going to see much of that. But what you saw now is that he has scored two goals in two matches, so he himself knows and recognises his confidence,” Tinkler said.

He added that Domingo had previously struggled with his decision-making in front of goal.

“The minute he got in front of goal, he panicked. What do I do next? But he’s a good professional and has worked on his game a lot more,” he said.

“Now he’s not really playing as a lone 10. He’s playing as a double 10 and has more people around him to support him, and that helps him.”

Nodada maintains his influence

Nodada, who made 250 appearances for Cape Town City between 2015 and 2025, came off the bench against AS Port-Louis 2000 as Durban City looked to strengthen their control of midfield.

Tinkler said the midfielder had retained the qualities that made him an important player at Cape Town City.

“Thabo Nodada is still the same Thabo Nodada that was at Cape Town City. He’s an extremely hard worker, very good at interceptions and stopping attacks,” he said.

“I brought him on for Tyler because I felt we needed someone to deal with the long balls and pick up those balls. He can still do that.”

Tinkler also discussed the progress of 21-year-old attacker Luphumlo Sifumba, known as Kaka. He previously tried to move Sifumba from a central midfield role into the number 10 position, but the player has since flourished as a false winger.

“Kaka originally wanted to be a six and an eight, and I tried to turn him into a 10,” Tinkler said.

“He’s now playing out wide and looking to come inside, and that suits him. It helps him.”

Tinkler said Sifumba’s defensive limitations had been more exposed when he played centrally, while a wide role reduced the consequences of losing possession. He added that the youngster had struggled for game time in the PSL and was sent back to the DDC to rebuild his confidence.

Durban City take a 3-1 lead into the second leg in Mauritius on 25 October. Domingo, Gaston Sirino and Tashreeq Morris scored for the hosts, while Sebastien Roussety replied for AS Port-Louis after goalkeeper Federick Asare dropped a cross in the 53rd minute.