Cape Town City FC head coach Eric Tinkler has shared insights into assistant coach Lebogang Manyama’s specific role within the team.
The Citizens roped in Manyama in September after he suffered a career-ending injury at the age of 33.
This was after he had returned to the Cape Town-based club as a player after a stint at Kaizer Chiefs, however, he was unable to rejuvenate his career in the Mother City due to a knee injury.
Tinkler has revealed that, given his experience as an attacking midfielder, Manyama is now focusing on improving the team’s offensive capabilities.
Tinkler believes that Manyama’s expertise in attacking play will be invaluable during the upcoming two-week international break, as the coach plans to utilise this period to enhance the team’s attacking strategies.
ERIC TINKLER REVEALS LEBOGANG MANYAMA’S SPECIFIC ROLE
“I think, obviously, his experience. If there’s someone who can help us with that creativity part, because that was one of Lebo’s strengths. It was basically him,” said Tinkler after his side lost to Richards Bay FC in Carling Knockout Cup.
“Now that we have, what is it, two weeks that he can still work, Lebo now, put him in charge of making those front players aware that, hey, these are the situations when you get in that final third.
“This is where you need to show that creativity. This is where you need to take that risk.
“And he can speak from personal experience on how to do that.
Tinkler is believes that Manyama has grasped many lessons since joining him in the dugout and has experienced the repercussions that come with losing as a coach.
“So I think he’s learnt a lot. He’s learnt the horrible side of being the coach,” he added.
“The blame is always yours when the team loses. And he’s started to understand that. Yeah, but he’ll grow.”
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