Backs up, confidence high, and coach possibly in the dog box is how Orlando Pirates will travel to Free State Stadium to meet Bloemfontein Celtic in tonight's Absa Premiership match.
Last week was an excellent one for Pirates, who got their first domestic victory on Tuesday with a 4-1 Absa Premiership thrashing of Chippa United at Orlando Stadium.
They returned to their home ground on Saturday to beat Congolese club AC Leopards 2-0 and seal their place in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.
But the week was soured to some extent by the emergence of allegations that Bucs coach Eric Tinkler had launched into an irrational outburst at journalists at Pirates' final training session on Friday, ahead of the Leopards game.
The coach apparently took exception to a line of questioning he had not satisfactorily answered on a technical team blunder that resulted in Pirates going into the match with just one uninjured, registered goalkeeper - Felipe Ovono.
Sowetan has been informed that one of the journalists present has been asked by Pirates to provide the club with a copy of the recording of Tinkler's alleged tirade.
Pirates administrative officer Floyd Mbele said yesterday the club will establish the facts before deciding whether any action is needed.
"We've seen the article on the alleged incident," Mbele said. "What is written there is unfortunate but as a club we feel it is important to first establish the facts before deciding if we need to take the process forward."
What might have seemed a fairly innocuous outburst to Tinkler has the potential of backfiring on the coach. It hints at an immaturity as a head coach that might raise alarm bells at a big club like Pirates.
The incident, and press coverage of it, are unlikely to derail a Pirates team who appear to be finding their groove, however. Fixtures (7.30pm): Ajax v FS Stars, Cape Town Stadium; SuperSport v Cosmos, Lucas Moripe Stadium; Platinum Stars v Arrows, Royal Bafokeng Stadium; Celtic v Pirates, Free State Stadium; and Bidvest Wits v Maritzburg, Bidvest Stadium.
lSee page 22
Verbal tirade may haunt Tinkler
Backs up, confidence high, and coach possibly in the dog box is how Orlando Pirates will travel to Free State Stadium to meet Bloemfontein Celtic in tonight's Absa Premiership match.
Last week was an excellent one for Pirates, who got their first domestic victory on Tuesday with a 4-1 Absa Premiership thrashing of Chippa United at Orlando Stadium.
They returned to their home ground on Saturday to beat Congolese club AC Leopards 2-0 and seal their place in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.
But the week was soured to some extent by the emergence of allegations that Bucs coach Eric Tinkler had launched into an irrational outburst at journalists at Pirates' final training session on Friday, ahead of the Leopards game.
The coach apparently took exception to a line of questioning he had not satisfactorily answered on a technical team blunder that resulted in Pirates going into the match with just one uninjured, registered goalkeeper - Felipe Ovono.
Sowetan has been informed that one of the journalists present has been asked by Pirates to provide the club with a copy of the recording of Tinkler's alleged tirade.
Pirates administrative officer Floyd Mbele said yesterday the club will establish the facts before deciding whether any action is needed.
"We've seen the article on the alleged incident," Mbele said. "What is written there is unfortunate but as a club we feel it is important to first establish the facts before deciding if we need to take the process forward."
What might have seemed a fairly innocuous outburst to Tinkler has the potential of backfiring on the coach. It hints at an immaturity as a head coach that might raise alarm bells at a big club like Pirates.
The incident, and press coverage of it, are unlikely to derail a Pirates team who appear to be finding their groove, however. Fixtures (7.30pm): Ajax v FS Stars, Cape Town Stadium; SuperSport v Cosmos, Lucas Moripe Stadium; Platinum Stars v Arrows, Royal Bafokeng Stadium; Celtic v Pirates, Free State Stadium; and Bidvest Wits v Maritzburg, Bidvest Stadium.
lSee page 22
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