Cape town City coach Eric Tinkler says his former City captain Lebogang Manyama’s professionalism and leadership qualities will be very important this season.
The 31-year-old have rejoined City after he was released by Kaizer Chiefs at the end of last season. Manyama was instrumental in the City team of 2016/17 season, contributing as much as 28 goals with 16 goals and 12 assists.
Coach Tinkler was forced to play youngster and debutant Luke Daniels in their 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns. Tinkler was asked if the team was short of experience in the forward positions and what Manyama would bring when he recovers from injury.
“Lebo obviously brings a level of maturity. His leadership is very, very important,” Tinkler said in the post match press conference.
“His ability to play in spaces. He can play as a false nine, he can play as a ten, he can play wide, that’s where I used him in the first season when I was at Cape Town City.
“And I think his professionalism. For me, I’ve always seen his level of professionalism, his intelligence as a footballer and his intelligence as a human being off the field.
“So I think he brings that to help us, we got a lot of young players that we are bringing through. So that knowledge that he has of the game and that leadership that he has, that becomes important.
“Then creating a positive, but at the same time discipline. Because certain players need discipline, and he brings that, which is important whether they’re young or older players.”
Written by: Diski Voice
