Tinkler warns Durban City against complacency in CAF Confederation Cup

Durban City coach Eric Tinkler has warned his players they cannot afford to relax when they face AS Port Louis 2000 in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup second leg in Mauritius.

The Citizens take a 3-1 advantage into the return match after winning the first leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday. Haashim Domingo and Gaston Sirino scored before a late penalty from Tashreeq Morris gave the South African side a two-goal cushion.

However, AS Port Louis 2000 reduced the deficit through Sebastien Roussety in the second half, with Tinkler unhappy at the way his team lost focus after establishing control of the tie.

The victory was also Tinkler’s first since replacing Khalil Ben Youssef as Durban City manager, 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.

“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 need only avoid defeat in Mauritius to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group phase.

Despite his concerns over the first-leg performance, Tinkler believes the squad has the technical quality and depth required to make progress 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. In this competition, you have to raise your standard. You can’t play the way you play in the PSL.”

Tinkler’s main concern is that any further lapse in concentration could allow AS Port Louis 2000 back into the tie. He wants Durban City to combine their attacking ability with greater discipline in the second leg.

The Citizens will therefore travel to Mauritius with the advantage, but with their coach demanding a more controlled display as they attempt to complete the job and secure a place in the group stages.