Durban City manager Eric Tinkler has warned his players that complacency could cost them as they seek to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group phase.
The Citizens take a 3-1 lead into Sunday’s second leg against AS Port Louis 2000 in Mauritius after victory at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Haashim Domingo and Gaston Sirino put Durban City in control before Tashreeq Morris converted a late penalty. However, Sebastien Roussety’s second-half goal gave the visitors hope and left Tinkler unhappy with aspects of his team’s performance.
The match was also Tinkler’s first victory since replacing Khalil Ben Youssef as Durban City manager.
Although Durban City only need to avoid defeat to progress, Tinkler believes their first-leg display showed they cannot afford to relax in the return fixture.
“As much as I’m happy with the win, I’m obviously not entirely happy with the result,” Tinkler told the media at the post-match press conference.
“I definitely would have preferred a clean sheet against them. I think we were very wasteful, especially in the first half. [In the] second half, yes, we got the second [goal], and then, you know, complacency set in. And that complacency you can’t allow it in this competition.
“From complacency comes wastefulness, because it means instead of a good pass, I make a poor pass. Instead of a good cross, I make a poor cross. Instead of attacking the ball, I wait for the ball.”
Tinkler said the team must show greater discipline and concentration away from home if it is to make progress in the competition.
Despite his concerns, the manager believes Durban City have the technical quality and squad depth to advance further in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“The quality that we have in terms of players, technically, is very, very good,” he said.
“All of them are ballers, you know? So, you’ve got to be able to give them a little bit of freedom, but at the same time, they need to understand tactical organisation. In this competition, you have to raise your standard. You can’t play the way you play in the PSL.”
The return leg in Mauritius will determine whether Durban City secure their place in the group stages.
