Eric Tinkler, head coach of Cape Town City, recently spoke about the evolving role of former player Lebogang Manyama within the club.
Tinkler and Manyama share a history from their time at Cape Town City, where they clinched the Telkom Knockout title in 2016, just months after the club’s establishment.
Manyama, once a prominent attacking midfielder known for his creativity on the field, was a key player during that title-winning season under Tinkler’s guidance.
Following an injury that led to his early retirement, Manyama transitioned from player to coach when the club’s chairman, John Comitis, appointed him as Tinkler’s assistant coach in the previous campaign.
Since then, Manyama has taken on a crucial role in shaping the team’s offensive strategies. His focus is on helping the team’s forwards enhance their creativity and attacking output, leveraging his own experience as an attacking midfielder.
Tinkler’s comments came in the aftermath of a tense 5-4 penalty shootout loss to Richards Bay in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals.
Despite the setback, Tinkler expressed confidence in Manyama’s contributions to the Citizens coaching team, emphasizing his influence in cultivating a more dynamic attacking approach.
“He (Lebogang Manyama) is experience, if there is someone who can help us with that creativity part,” Tinkler said.
“Because that was one of level strength is basically for him.
“And now that we have two weeks (break) we can sit and work. Lebo will now put him in charge of making those front players aware that these are the situation (in attacking) 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 (as a player) on how to do that.
“I think he has learned a lot; he has learned the horrible side of being the coach the blame is always yours when the team loses.
“And he has started to understand that, but he will grow.”
City exit the #CarlingKnockout after defeat in the shootout.
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) November 2, 2024
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