EXCELLENT ERTUGRAL FILE. Cape Town City coach Muhsin Ertugral is off to the perfect start in the Betway Premiership with wins over both Kaizer chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Independent Newspapers
Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers
It’s no mean feat for a Betway Premiership team, other than perhaps Mamelodi Sundowns, to achieve victories over Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates but that’s exactly what new Cape Town City coach Muhsin Ertugral has managed.
Quite an achievement indeed, especially considering it was his first two games in charge of the club.
On Wednesday against Pirates, City had fewer shots on goal and 41% of the ball but managed a 1-0 win. Three days prior, City beat Chiefs by the same scoreline with eight shots at goal, which was half that of the AmaKhosi tally. Again, City also had far less possession with 38% of the ball.
Still, it points to the tactical astuteness of the shrewd tactician on the sidelines that is Ertugral.
The Turk is a household name in South African football, much like his predecessor Eric Tinkler who was unceremoniously axed on New Year’s Eve.
Tinkler though, was perhaps more well known for his exploits as a player having been part of the Africa Cup of Nations-winning Bafana Bafana team in 1996.
It would be a bit harsh, but fairly accurate to describe Tinkler as a journeyman as a coach since taking up a spot in the dugout in 2013.
Ertugral in contrast, began his coaching career in 1995 with the Zaire (DR Congo) national team. Since 1999, he has spent time at a number of clubs in SA football including two stints with Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Ajax Cape Town and Maritzburg United.
Most recently he was working as the technical advisor with the Turkey national football team.
There’s certainly no questioning the qualifications of Ertugral then, but it’s still early days in charge of City. They will face Marumo Gallants in their league clash on Saturday, but it would take a brave punter to bet against three in a row for Ertugral.