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Tinkler: No one expected us to come this far

Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler has hailed his team for a fantastic maiden season, which saw them remain in the title race until almost the very end.

When it was announced that Mpumalanga Black Aces would be moving to the Mother City and changing their name to Cape Town City before the beginning of the season, very few would have thought then what a campaign the club would have.

And, while the young side was able to hold their own against the biggest clubs in the country, Tinkler was still ruing the fact that at some point, the Citizens had the title in their own hands.

“We sit back and look now and say had we got the three points against them [Wits in a 1-1 draw at home], had we not lost [2-1 at home] to Baroka, then we could possibly have been talking now a different story and taking it to the last game of the season and it being between them and us,” Tinkler was quoted by SowetanLive.

“That’s the disappointing side, but I still go home with a big smile on my face to have a nice glass of red wine.

“That’s because I know that we have achieved something no-one would expected, not even myself to be honest.

“In the back of your mind, you are thinking, maybe we can win a cup and finish in the top eight. But winning the league or finishing top three… that wasn’t in the thought process to be honest.”

Tinkler’s men trail Mamelodi Sundowns by a mere point, and with a game remaining, they can still finish in second place should they pick up the maximum three points in their final game against Polokwane City, and the Brazilians fail to win.

“We go into the game with the chance of finishing strong, but it’s definitely going to be a tough match. Polokwane have had a fantastic season and have nothing to lose,” said Tinkler.

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