Cape Town - Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Qalinge has hailed coach Eric Tinkler for motivating him to become a better footballer.
Qalinge has fought his way back into the starting line-up for Pirates after struggling for game time at the beginning of the season.
The former Mpumalanga Black Aces winger revealed that Tinkler encourages every player to work hard for the good of the team.
"I don't psyche myself to do something special. I don't choose which match to play at my best level, every time I get a chance to perform I give myself for the team," Qalinge told KickOff.
"In every match I play I treat it like a cup final, and fortunately I have a coach who is always there to motivate me.
"He doesn't want us to be scared or nervous because we will end up making mistakes. He always gives us confidence and lifts our spirits in order to perform well."