Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler expressed his dissatisfaction and used strong language following his team’s concession of all three goals from set pieces during their Betway Premiership clash with Golden Arrows on Saturday.

City struggled with the initial cross, which Ryan Moon headed down. Themba Mantshinyane capitalized on the loose ball, netting the first goal. Moon then transitioned from provider to scorer, heading in a delivery from Siyanda Mthanti to double the lead.

In the second half, City aimed for a comeback, with goals from Gabriel Amato and substitute Amadou Soukouna. However, they were unable to secure the equalizer as Nqobeko Dlamini restored Arrows’ lead following a defensive mistake.

Tinkler was evidently upset about his team’s display, particularly their set-piece defending. “Players weren’t aggressive enough,” he said. “You can’t just stand there and watch the ball; you have to attack it. Winning the first, second, and third balls is vital. It’s essential.”

He went on to say, “All three goals stemmed from second-phase play. For the first goal, the ball bounced three times without anyone clearing it. There was a complete lack of aggression at set pieces, and no one stepped up.”

While City is not facing immediate relegation threat, Tinkler voiced his concerns about the team’s erratic performances. “I’ve been worried since day one,” he confessed. “Our success is judged by results, win or lose. I get anxious when we lose.”

Despite having signed several prominent players during the off-season, City has had difficulty finding a steady rhythm and currently sits in 11th place in the league. Soukouna, one of the new signings, impressed after his introduction, but Tinkler emphasized the importance of strong set-piece defense.

“I’m not changing my system for one player. Does it work for everyone? No,” Tinkler responded.

“I brought him in thinking it was the right moment. Did he score? Was it a smart decision? Yes.

“But at the end of the day, you have to defend that corner kick. It’s that simple.”