Tinkler concerned by City's recent lack of goals

Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler is hoping to solve his team's goalscoring conundrum when Polokwane City arrive at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday, November 28.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Current form:

The Citizens have failed to find the back of the net in their last two Betway Premiership outings which resulted in a 0-0 draw with Magesi and a 3-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Indeed, Tinkler's side haven't scored a goal in three games across all competitions since they beat Royal AM 3-0 in the opening round of the Carling Knockout on October 19.

City are the joint-second lowest scorers in the league with just two goals from their opening five matches - only Richards Bay (1) have fared worse.

The Mother City outfit have only recorded one win this season and find themselves two points clear of the danger zone in 13th place.

Rise And Shine have made an impressive start to the campaign after winning four of their first seven fixtures in the league to sit third in the standings.

Only Orlando Pirates (1st) and Sundowns (2nd) have a better record and they are the only two teams to have beaten Phuti Mohafe's side this term.

Polokwane stunned Bafana ba Style to end their perfect start to the season with a 1-0 win on October 27, although the defending champions got their revenge just 10 days later after running out 2-0 victors.

What was said:

Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler

"It (the lack of goals) is a concern because we watched clips from our match against Royal AM where we scored three and there was a lot of fluidity in our attack, good movement and chances created.

"And I don't know what happened since Magesi, we lost that and you thought we would have built on that, but we lost it.

"The last three games, there was a lot of control and a lot of possession, not so much against Sundowns, but at least Magesi and Richards Bay you knew you would have it, but it was not a threat. There is not enough intent in the final third to want to score.

"We started well in our offensive play, but somewhere along the line we've lost the wheels and we have to find out what's the reason for that. Because I still feel we have the depth in the squad to still do well this season."

Players to watch:

Cape Town City - Prins Tjiueza has settled in quickly at his new club after joining the Citizens in July, scoring on his top-flight debut against Royal AM. The Namibian striker, who had been without employment since leaving KF Liria in January, bagged his second goal to secure a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United on September 28, making him City's only scorer in the league.

Polokwane City - Mohafe hasn't managed to get the best out of Oswin Appollis yet in 2024-25, with the winger having failed to register a single goal or assist in eight appearances across all competitions. Appollis shone for Bafana Bafana during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, contributing two goals and four assists in six games, while being named Man of the Match in the 3-0 win over South Sudan on November 19.

Head-to-Head: (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)

Matches - 5

CT City wins - 2

Polokwane wins - 1

Draws - 2