Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler voiced his frustration and expressed strong sentiments after his team conceded all three goals from set pieces during their Betway Premiership encounter with Golden Arrows on Saturday.

The team struggled to handle the initial cross, which was headed down by Ryan Moon. Themba Mantshinyane took advantage of the loose ball to score the first goal. Moon then shifted from being a provider to a scorer with a header from a cross delivered by Siyanda Mthanti, doubling the lead.

City responded in the second half with goals from Gabriel Amato and substitute Amadou Soukouna. However, they couldn’t maintain the draw, as Nqobeko Dlamini put Arrows ahead again with a goal resulting from a defensive error.

Tinkler was clearly dissatisfied with the team’s performance, especially concerning their defending on set pieces. “The players were lacking in aggression,” he remarked. “You can’t just stand there watching the ball; you must actively pursue it. Winning the first, second, and third balls is crucial. It’s imperative.”

He further commented, “All three goals were a result of second-phase play. For the first goal, the ball bounced three times without anyone clearing it. There was a significant lack of aggression on set pieces, and no one took responsibility.”

Although City isn’t currently facing immediate relegation threats, Tinkler expressed his worries about the team’s inconsistent performances. “I’ve been concerned since the beginning,” he admitted. “Our success depends on results, whether we win or lose. Losing is alarming.”

Despite acquiring several high-profile players during the off-season, City has struggled to establish a consistent rhythm and now finds itself in 11th place in the league. Soukouna, one of the recent signings, made a significant impact after coming off the bench, but Tinkler underscored the necessity of robust set-piece defense.

“I’m not going to alter my system for just one player. Does it benefit everyone? No,” Tinkler replied.

“I brought him in because I believed it was the right choice. Did he score? Was it a sound decision? Yes.

“But ultimately, you have to defend the bloody corner. It’s that straightforward.”