FIFA break perfect for reset ahead of Kaizer Chiefs - Eric Tinkler

The Citizens are winless in five matches from all competitions post AFCON – a far cry from when they catapulted themselves up the DStv Premiership table following a record six victories in a row. 

Tinkler believes the two weeks during the international recess was much needed. 

"Our start in this second half [of the season] hasn't been great, so it's been an opportunity to fix certain areas of our game that I think are extremely important," said Tinkler.

"There was a lot of injuries and suspensions, and players were moving, so I don't think the focus and concentration was there. 

"So I think the FIFA break came at a good time because we needed to try and work on certain areas of our game, try and get certain players that were key for us prior to the [December] break back to fitness."

City will host Chiefs in Athlone instead of their preferred DHL Stadium in the heart of the Mother City due to the stadium’s unavailability, with the coach admiting he has some concerns. 

"Unfortunately we're having to go to Athlone because DHL Stadium is not available, but we would have obviously preferred to stay at DHL," he added.

"But it is what it is, we go to Athlone and hopefully the pitch will be in good condition – the last time I checked, it wasn't in a great state, but I think they've had four weeks to try and get it ready for the game."

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