Sekhukhune rediscover winning touch as Tinkler lauds discipline

Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler commended his team’s commitment after they ended a three-match Betway Premiership winless streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy on Sunday.

The result injected renewed belief into Babina Noko’s campaign as they trimmed the gap to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to three points, although they have played two more matches than the Brazilians.

It was a heated and fiercely contested encounter that saw both sides reduced to ten men, with goalscorer Bradley Grobler and TS Galaxy midfielder Sphesihle Maduna sent off following a confrontation involving players from both teams.

Grobler netted his seventh league goal of the season, arriving at a crucial moment for his side, who had entered the match without a win and having failed to score in their previous three outings since edging Magesi 1–0 in December.

Tinkler has previously been cautious about openly declaring his sides intentions for a title push, and while Sekhukhune remain mathematically in contention despite recent inconsistency, a top-three finish now appears the most realistic outcome, with third place looking the most achievable.

The former Orlando Pirates coach cut a satisfied figure after the final whistle, particularly impressed by his side’s discipline and execution across the match.

“They are a team that plays with a lot of energy and intensity, and they play with a lot of balls in behind,” Tinkler told SuperSport in his post-match interview.

The 55-year-old added that while his side largely controlled proceedings, the opportunities conceded to the opposition highlighted areas that still require improvement.

“I didn’t think when they had the ball they really caused us too many problems.

“The goalkeeper (Renaldo Leaner) had to make saves mainly from our own errors, mistakes in possession during the build-up. We lost the ball cheaply and he had to scramble and come up with saves.

“We need to improve in that area. Silly mistakes in the build-up and poor decision-making end up creating chances for them. But if you look at them in build-up play, they weren’t really a threat and we managed it well. We need to return to that level consistently.”

Grobler also brought an end to a seven-match goal drought after his bright start to the campaign, though Sekhukhune will be without him when they face National First Division side Highbury FC in the Nedbank Cup last 32 this Saturday due to suspension.

Reflecting on their recent struggles in front of goal, Tinkler stressed that with a proven finisher in his ranks, improved service will see the striker deliver, as he has done earlier in the season.

“Overall, I was pleased with our transitional play, and particularly the combinations in midfield. I was very happy with ( Lebogang) Phiri, (Thabang) Monare and (Thato) Khiba. We had better moments on the ball and created opportunities.

“We’ve spoken a lot about getting the basics right, because when you do that, results follow. Crosses haven’t been good enough, yet we tend to point fingers at strikers for not scoring goals.”