Tinkler's City hoping to make home advantage count in MTN 8 semifinal against Pirates

CAPE TOWN - Eric Tinkler’s Citizens host the Sea Robbers at DHL Stadium on Tuesday night, looking to score a first-leg advantage to take back to Orlando Stadium.

"It's a big club that we're playing against, obviously a team that over the past couple of seasons has won this competition and it's not going to be easy but we're going to go out there back ourselves, play with confidence, play with self-belief and look to take the game to them, play without fear."

Tinkler provided an update on the mood in the Cape Town City FC camp ahead of their date with the Soweto giants.

"I think the preparation has been very good and I think the players are looking forward to the opportunity to play against such a big club like Pirates. It won't be easy, we know, it's going to be tough but it is an opportunity to try an get into that final and obviously we start that task with a game at home. The players are in good spirits."

The City boss also provided an injury update on his squad.

"We've had a bit of unfortunate injuries with Lorenzo breaking his nose against Sekhukune, which puts him in doubt for the game against Pirates and then we lost Carlinhos to a long-term injury, who'll be out until February/March, if we're lucky."

Tinkler is keen to use home-ground advantage in the first leg on Tuesday night.

"Pirates playing at home or away is always a home game, they get massive support but on a personal note, I've always felt the fuller the stadium, whether it's your spectators or the opposition, it makes you raise your game to another level, so I don't think that plays an effect."

The Cape Town City coach believes that the away goal rule could prove pivotal in the tie.

"I think the fact that in this competition away goals count, so it's very important to keep that clean sheet, especially when you're playing at home, so I think that's got to be the primary factor for us to make sure that we give ourselves more than a chance."

Tinkler also pinpointed where the Buccaneers could cause City problems and what he expected from them.

"We've got to go out there with a full belief in ourselves, know where their strengths lie, they are a very good team on transition into attack, they're a team that likes to build up and play through the phases, players with technical ability, Mafokeng for example in 1-v-1s is very dangerous... you know we've got to be very aware of those factors."

Cape Town City shot-stopper, Darren Keet, insisted that no extra motivation was needed ahead of Tuesday night's first-leg match.

"I don't think you need extra motivation, the magnitude of the game itself is an occasion, usually it's a spectacle and we're just happy to have a chance to have a go at them. I think we've been working hard, we've had a long pre-season... it will be an interesting game and I think we're well prepared for it, so in terms of motivation, I think a semifinal is motivation in itself."

Darren Keet on Fortune Makaringe’s influence on the team since his arrival from Orlando Pirates.

"He's been the same since he arrived, I've never actually worked with him before, I think once or twice at the national team but [not] at a club level. Since he's come in, he's been absolutely phenomenal, he's been upbeat, he's actually helped where he's been able to bring everyone together even though he is a new figure in the team."

The City shot-stopper believes they can keep a clean sheet against the Sea Robbers and is hopeful of taking an advantage back to Orlando Stadium.

"Playing at home first, the most important thing is to get a couple of goals and to keep a clean sheet to take to Orlando. It's always going to be a hell of a task but like I said before, we've prepared for it, we've got a stable defence, we've got a stable team at the moment and there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to do it. Clean sheets are always vitally important."