Durban City Must Balance Attack and Defence, Says Tinkler

Durban City head coach Eric Tinkler has admitted that his team must improve defensively despite recording a 3-1 victory over Port Louis in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second-round tie.

The Citizens secured the win at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, giving themselves a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Mauritius. However, Tinkler believes his players cannot afford to relax because their defensive mistakes remain a concern.

The victory was an important result for Durban City as they continue their campaign in the continental competition. It also gave Tinkler his first win in the CAF Confederation Cup since taking charge of the team. His first match as head coach ended in defeat against AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership last week.

Despite the positive result against Port Louis, the coach was concerned about the goals his team had conceded in both matches. He believes the defensive problems need to be addressed quickly if Durban City want to continue making progress in the competition.

Tinkler explained that much of his attention had initially been on improving the team’s attacking play. However, the recent performances have shown him that the defensive side of the game also requires significant work.

The coach is particularly concerned about the team’s organisation when opponents try to attack on the counter. He wants his players to understand their defensive responsibilities even when they are pushing forward in search of goals.

According to Tinkler, Durban City must improve their positioning and ensure that they are prepared to deal with opposition attacks whenever they lose possession. He believes better organisation will help prevent opponents from taking advantage of spaces left behind by his attacking players.

Tinkler said he would introduce these improvements during the days leading up to the return leg. He knows that protecting the advantage from the first match will be important, but he does not want his team to approach the game with a defensive mindset alone.

The coach has made it clear that Durban City will also look to score in Mauritius. He believes finding the net away from home would make the task more difficult for Port Louis as they attempt to recover from their first-leg defeat.

At the same time, Tinkler wants his team to keep a clean sheet and show greater discipline at the back. He believes Durban City can achieve a positive result if they combine their attacking approach with a more organised defensive performance.

The Citizens will now prepare for the return fixture with the aim of securing qualification for the next round. Tinkler will hope his players can build on their victory while correcting the mistakes that have concerned him in their recent matches.

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