THE TINKERER

ERIC TINKLER IS IN A CONSTANT REBUILDING JOB AT CAPE TOWN CITY, BUT HE STILL MANAGED TO KEEP THE CLUB COMPETITIVE IN THE HUNT FOR SILVERWARE

- Mogamad Allie

The biggest challenge T facing Eric Tinkler as coach of Cape Town City will always be to cut his garment according to the relatively limited cloth available to him.

As coach of a club that does not quite have to scrape the barrel to make ends meet, but which is nevertheless way behind the PSL's big hitters such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in terms of its resources, Tinkler has to innovate to compete with the big boys.

It is a reality that the club's best. players will always be enticed by the lure of a bigger pay packet and the prestige of the big three, much like Real Madrid and Barcelona are magnets to the top players in the European leagues.

In the past few years, the Citizens have lost key players like Lebogang Manyama, Bradley Ralani, Edmilson Dove, Kermit Erasmus, Craig Martin. and Terrence Mashego to the Gauteng giants. In addition, striker Fagrie Lakay moved to Egypt's Pyramids FC, Gift Links to Denmark and Ayanda Patosi to the Middle East.