Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler voiced his frustration after his side suffered a 3-2 defeat to Golden Arrows in a tightly contested league match. Despite a spirited second-half comeback, the Citizens were undone by their inability to defend set pieces, conceding all three goals in secondary phases from dead-ball situations.
Golden Arrows Capitalize on Defensive Lapses
Golden Arrows took an early lead through Themba Mantshinyane, who capitalized on a precise pass from Ryan Moon.
Moon himself doubled the advantage shortly after, heading home Siyanda Mthanti’s cross.
Cape Town City showed resilience in the second half, with Gabriel Amato and substitute Amadou Soukouna finding the net to pull the score level.
However, their comeback hopes were dashed when Nqobeko Dlamini struck late to secure victory for the Arrows.
Tinkler Blasts Defensive Fragility
Tinkler did not hold back in his criticism, highlighting his players’ lack of assertiveness in defending set pieces. “All three goals came from set pieces, and that’s unacceptable.
There’s a clear lack of aggression and responsibility,” the coach said post-match. His frustration boiled over as he added bluntly, “You have to defend these corners, it’s as simple as that.”
The coach also expressed concerns over his team’s inconsistent form, despite significant recruitment aimed at boosting their performance. Cape Town City currently sits 11th in the league, far below expectations.
While the threat of relegation remains distant, Tinkler emphasized the need for urgency in addressing defensive shortcomings.
Soukouna’s Impact Highlighted
One positive takeaway for Tinkler was the performance of Amadou Soukouna, who impressed after coming on as a substitute and scoring one of the goals.
The coach acknowledged the forward’s contribution but underscored the importance of improving collectively to avoid similar collapses in future matches.
Struggles Continue for Cape Town City
Tinkler’s frustration reflects a broader struggle for Cape Town City this season, as they have yet to find consistent form.
While their attacking capabilities have shown promise, the inability to defend set pieces has proven costly, highlighting a critical area for improvement as the campaign progresses.
The defeat leaves Cape Town City searching for answers, and Tinkler will be looking to rally his squad to bounce back as they aim to climb the league table.
