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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates comfortable win on Saturday meant that the Bucs players had the opportunity to treat us to a show of ‘Mzansi-skills’ – Sport24 sought coach Eric Tinkler’s views on flair in the South African game.
Read: Pirates face daunting CAF CC group
Orlando Pirates beat Gineu’s AS Kaloum 4-1 on Saturday and 6-1 on aggregate but the last 20 minutes of the game on the weekend resembled more of a freestyle session than an actual professional football game.
Tinkler gave his take on the ethics of flair in football, when it is acceptable and when it is not.
“I think we need to be wary and careful,” he warned.
“Flair is obviously something that we have abundance of, we have technically gifted footballers.
“We need to allow them to express themselves but within the boundaries of what the tactical strategy will be. And then also remembering that fair play should always ingrained in their principles.
“When we use our flair and our technical ability it needs to be done to benefit the team in a positive way, meaning that it is going to lead to an opportunity, it’s going to lead to a goal. Those are vitally important.”
The debate over showboating is not new but it has once again caught world attention after Neymar’s rainbow flick in the Spanish Cup final caused a furore in the press.
Tinkler recognises both sides of the debate but he also suggests that the footballing culture of South Africa is one where the players must be granted freedom of expression.
“You don’t want un-gentlemanly conduct to come into the game. That’s one thing we need to remember.
“I look at the Neymar one and he tried to get himself out of a difficult situation using his skill. I don’t have a problem with that. But you don’t kick someone when they are down.
“Obviously our fans enjoy seeing the technical ability of the players and I’m happy for them to do it, as long as it’s for positive reasons. To benefit the team and not the individual.”
