Tinkler fancies United’s chances against TP Mazembe
When SuperSport United go head-to-head with Congolese giants TP Mazembe in the Caf Confederation Cup final, Eric Tinkler says he will stick to the same strategy that saw them outclass Tunisian heavyweights Club Africain to reach their maiden continental final.
SuperSport United coach Eric Tinkler (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
SuperSport and defending champions Mazembe are no strangers in the competition, having both qualified for the knockout stages from the same Group D. Matsatsantsa have a slight advantage, if you factor in that they managed to score twice in a 2-2 draw in Lubumbashi, while Mazembe were kept quiet in a goalless encounter in Pretoria.
“The final against TP Mazembe, we are talking about a team with a lot of experience,” Tinkler told reporters after his side defeated Club Africain 3-1 in Tunis, winning 4-2 on aggregate.
“It is a team that has won the Champions League and that is defending the Confederation Cup. But it is a team we have played before. I told the players we had to face Club Africain with no fear, and that is how we are going to treat the game against Mazembe, irrespective of all their experience. We have done well against them in the past and we can do it again,” he added.
READ: SuperSport through to Caf Confed Cup final
Tinkler was particularly delighted with the way his team started on Sunday. An away goal was always vital and they got on the scoresheet early through Bradley Grobler.
“The first 30 minutes of the first half I really thought we were very good. I thought we showed great composure on the ball, our decision-making was very good. We knew they would play in a 4-3-3 formation, we just weren’t too sure whether they would play with the three defensive midfielders or with two defensive and with one attacking.”
Veteran defender Morgan Gould will miss the first leg of the final on November 17 after he got himself booked and also conceded the penalty in the second half.
“It was disappointing how we conceded the penalty. We got caught on the counter-attack which was something we always knew would really be the only weapon they’d have against us,” said Tinkler.
“I am extremely proud of the performance of the team, it has been a long road to get where we are and think we thoroughly deserve to be in the final.”
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