Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler says experiments are over as they move aggressively in the market ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Tinkler’s City side finished fifth, just one goal off Sekukhune from fourth place in the DStv Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup qualification for next season.
It marked a sign of regression, having finished second and third in the previous two league campaigns, as they struggled at the start of 2024, going 10 games without a league win.
However, the picked up the pieces going into the final stages of the season and ended off by becoming the only team to beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the league, ending their persuit of an ‘Invincibles’ season – and achieving fifth place with a youthful squad.
About 16 of the first-team squad members were younger than 25 this season but they have now acted to bring in more experienced players.
Haashim Domingo, Fortune Makaringe, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Carlinhos and Alifeyo Sibusiso Ziba have all been signed, pending official announcements from the club.
“I think the season that just ended, we took a little bit too much risks with the amount of youngsters we were bleeding into the team,” Tinkler said when asked by iDiski Times about the amount the experienced players being signed for next season.
“Over the past three seasons, we have lost some experienced players, moved on to other clubs, other opportunities, but we really haven’t gone into the market looking to bring someone of experience and maturity.
“This is a discussion we had quite a while back [with Comitis] to make sure that this coming season we have a lot more depth in our squad.”
The likes of Bongani Mpandle, Khanya Leshabela, Thabiso Kutumela and Mokhuoane will no longer be with the club next season, with the latter heading to Sekhukhune as part of the Mokotjo deal.
And when pressed about whether the signings are to be in the CAF Champions League and long-term, the African Football League, Tinkler stated: “Like I said last season, we see ourselves as a top-four club, that’s our objective.”
