New coach bounce awaiting City?

As Cape Town City shake up their coaching department ahead of the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, the Mother City outfit are preparing to take on Kaizer Chiefs in their first Betway Premiership tie of 2025 at the DHL Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 5:45pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

City head into their next league assignment on the back of a 1-0 defeat against AmaZulu, a result that ultimately led to Eric Tinkler’s sacking on 31 December 2024.

Prior to the result against Usuthu, the Citizens recorded just two wins in their first 10 league games of the season.

As a result of their inconsistent form, City slumped to 12th position on the table, with just 11 points to their name so far.

While City suffered defeat last time out, Kaizer Chiefs recorded a 1-0 win against Chippa United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 29 December.

The result over the Chilli Boys happened to be only their seventh win of 2024 and also their fourth of the 24/25 Betway Premiership campaign.

As it stands, the Glamour Boys will operate out of seventh position on the log after accumulating 15 points from 10 matches played.

WHAT WAS SAID

In what was news that made headlines in South African football media recently, Cape Town City revealed that they’ve parted ways with Eric Tinkler on the final day of 2024, which paved the way for ex-Amakhosi coach Muhsin Ertuğral to occupy the hot seat until the end of the campaign.

The Turkish coach will then be moved to a Technical Director’s role at the end of his coaching period.

“Cape Town City and head coach Eric Tinkler have mutually agreed to part ways,” City revealed.

“The club expresses gratitude towards Eric for the last three seasons where he presided over 2nd, 4th and 5th place finishes. We wish Eric the very best for the future. The club will announce a new interim coach as we build up to an exciting new project for the 25/26 season and beyond.’

Reflecting on Chiefs’ form this season, coach Nasreddine Nabi fired back at the media recently by suggesting that a negative narrative has been created regarding his team.

“Honestly, why don’t you accept that I came for the project? Why do you media refuse that?” Nabi said.

“I give you a question, why do you refuse? Because it is not good for you, the media.

“You need reaction from people. If the coach talks about the process for building the team, don’t provoke a reaction from the fans and the business for yourself, this is not good. “

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cape Town City: Hashim Domingo – As an experienced campaigner in South African football, Domingo has the ability to take City to new heights. Regarded as a leading playmaker in the PSL, City will look to Domingo to produce the goods against Chiefs and other high-profile encounters.

Kaizer Chiefs: Mduduzi Shabalala – Shabalala’s solo effort against AmaZulu remains fresh in the minds of the Glamour Boys supporters heading into this weekend’s fixture. Following his Man of the Match performance against Usuthu, Shabalala will no doubt be tasked to do the same against limping City outfit.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

2021/22 Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Cape Town City

2022/23 Cape Town City 2-0 Kaizer Chiefs

2022/23 Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Cape Town City

2023/24 Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Cape Town City

2023/24 Cape Town City 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs