Tinkler warns Durban City against complacency in CAF Confederation Cup return leg

Durban City coach Eric Tinkler has warned his players that any complacency could prove costly when they face AS Port Louis 2000 in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie in Mauritius on Sunday.

The Citizens take a 3-1 advantage into the match after winning the first leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday. Haashim Domingo and Gaston Sirino put Durban City in control before Tashreeq Morris converted a late penalty.

However, Sebastien Roussety’s second-half goal prevented a clean sheet and left Tinkler unhappy with his side’s performance after they had established a two-goal lead.

The victory was also Tinkler’s first since replacing Khalil Ben Youssef as the club’s coach, but he said the result could have been more convincing.

“As much as I’m happy with the win, I’m obviously not entirely happy with the result,” Tinkler told the media at the post-match press conference.

“I definitely would have preferred a clean sheet against them. I think we were very wasteful, especially in the first half. [In the] second half, yes, we got the second [goal], and then, you know, complacency set in. And that complacency you can’t allow it in this competition.”

Tinkler said a drop in concentration had also affected the team’s decision-making and execution.

“From complacency comes wastefulness, because it means instead of a good pass, I make a poor pass. Instead of a good cross, I make a poor cross. Instead of attacking the ball, I wait for the ball.”

Durban City will reach the CAF Confederation Cup group phase if they avoid defeat in the return match. Despite his concerns over the first-leg display, Tinkler believes the squad has the technical quality and depth to make a strong run in the competition.

“The quality that we have in terms of players, technically, is very, very good,” he said.

“All of them are ballers, you know? So, you’ve got to be able to give them a little bit of freedom, but at the same time, they need to understand tactical organisation.”

Tinkler also stressed that his players must adapt their approach to the demands of continental football rather than relying solely on the standards of domestic competition.

“In this competition, you have to raise your standard. You can’t play the way you play in the PSL.”