Tinkler targets response from ‘fatigued’ Sundowns in Durban City clash

Durban City coach Eric Tinkler believes fatigue may have contributed to Mamelodi Sundowns’ shock CAF Champions League exit and will send his side out to challenge them in Saturday’s league meeting.

Sundowns failed to reach the group stages last week, despite their squad’s quality and their success over several years. Tinkler has repeatedly warned that their demanding schedule is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

“I think for all of us, it was a surprise that Sundowns didn’t qualify. I expected them to qualify because of the quality that they have,” Tinkler said.

“But obviously, it takes a lot of other questions about what the reasons were and like I said, the modern game has changed. The number of competitions that exist and the number of games that players play, it is a lot.

“Somewhere along the lines there will be fatigue and I think it has creeped in at Sundowns because they have been successful for many years.”

Durban City will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup group phase after being drawn in Group B with AS FAR of Morocco, Azam of Tanzania and Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya.

Tinkler said the draw would give his players an opportunity to measure themselves against teams from across the continent, although he accepted that the campaign would be demanding.

“It’s going to be tough for all four groups, but that’s where you want to be, that’s where you want to compare yourself to others. Playing in these competitions, Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and going game-by-game with a winning mentality home and away,” he said.

Their immediate focus, however, is a league trip to Sundowns at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 8.15pm.

Tinkler insisted Durban City would not approach the match defensively or simply look to counter-attack. He said the objective was to collect points while maintaining the team’s style of play.

“We’ve to go there and collect points. That’s always been my mentality and I don’t go to play against teams sitting and playing the low block and hope to catch them on the counter, that’s not how I play.

“It doesn’t matter who it is, Sundowns with the quality they have, yes, fantastic. But we will go there to play our brand of football and compete and to win. So, I’ve beaten them before and I lost to them before, so I will lose to them again and I will also beat them. I go with that mind-set.”

Fixtures

Friday: Gallants v Siwelele, Royal Bafokeng (7.30pm).

Saturday: Pirates v Chiefs, FNB (3.30pm); Milford v Sekhukhune, Sugar Ray Xulu (3.30pm); Stellenbosch v Chippa, Danie Craven (6pm); AmaZulu v Arrows, Princess Magogo (6pm); Polokwane v Galaxy, Old Peter Mokaba (6pm); Kruger v Bay, Mbombela (8.15pm); Sundowns v Durban, Royal Bafokeng (8.15pm).