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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler concedes that captain Oupa Manyisa's form this term was negatively affected by his proposed mid-season move to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Read: Bucs shift stadium for CAF tie
At the beginning of the year leading up to the January transfer window, Manyisa was heavily linked with a move to big spending Sundowns, and his agent Thabo Moloto even went as far as to say that his highly prized client was definitely on his way to Chloorkop.
And, that sequence of events - as well as his participation for South Africa - led to a below-par season for the Bafana Bafana international, according to his coach.
"I think yes, Oupa, without a doubt, this season has not been as good as previous seasons," Tinkler told KickOff.
"There are a couple of factors, really. He played all the games last season and obviously went to represent Bafana as well, so he didn't get much of a break. So mentally, I think he is tired.
Tinkler adds that a professional footballer needs to be physically and mentally fit - and other than fitness, transfer talk also distracted the Bafana midfielder.
"Also, the issues around Sundowns didn't help, you know, and I think that caused problems. Towards the end I think Oupa seemed to be back to his usual self and showing what he is capable of."
