Fancy football does not always win matches – Tinkler

Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler has reminded the last two teams having to play their Telkom Knockout match, that fancy football does not always win you matches. Chippa United host Bloemfontein Celtic at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London, in a battle for a place in the second round on Tuesday tonight.

The Telkom Knockout has produced some surprises, but the so called ABSA Premiership giants have managed to advance to the last eight.

Maritzburg United beat favourites Bidvest Wits in a hard fought match to qualify for the last eight. The team of Choice was joined by Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Highlands Park, Golden Arrows and SuperSport United.

Tuesday’s match between Chippa and Celtic is expected to be a physical one.

Tinkler says their win against Wits will build their confidence.

“A win like this it can be a scrappy win that just builds confidence and the fact that we’ve won three in a row; that will build confidence and take us forward. And hopefully, we can produce better football because I think we started the season playing good football and we didn’t get results. Now we are not playing such great football and we have three results; I mean sometimes the game is not entirely fair.”

The Chilli Boys are languishing at the bottom of the ABSA Premiership log after eight matches with four draws and four losses. The Telkom Knock-out is their opportunity to get their season back on track.

Celtic has been blowing hot and cold in the league and are ninth on the log with two wins, two draws and three losses.