Sekhukhune United boss Eric Tinkler is clinical in his assessment of Babina Noko's recent slump, but the hunt for a top-three finish isn't over yet. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler has admitted his side has fallen short in the second half of the season, but insists their CAF Confederation Cup ambitions remain firmly alive.
Babina Noko were held to a 2-2 draw by AmaZulu FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Monday — a result that leaves them fifth in the Betway Premiership standings and still chasing a top-three finish. With Kaizer Chiefs occupying third place on 39 points and AmaZulu just ahead in fourth, Sekhukhune remain within striking distance on 35 points.
Durban City FC are also level on points with Babina Noko, further tightening an already congested race for continental qualification. However, Tinkler did not shy away from addressing his team’s inconsistent form since the turn of the year.
“Our second half of the season has not been good home or away. Somewhere along the line, I think my players just lost it and I think it was after the AFCON break,” he said.
Sekhukhune have managed just two wins in their last 10 league matches, drawing four and losing four — a run that has slowed their early-season momentum and left them playing catch-up in the race for third. Tinkler pointed to a combination of injuries and squad disruption as contributing factors behind the dip in performances.
“We also lost quite a few key players to long term injuries with a lot of new faces coming in after the CAF break again with a need to get up to speed with conditioning because they weren’t regulars.”
The influx of new players, coupled with the absence of established figures, has made it difficult for Sekhukhune to maintain rhythm and consistency — particularly in a demanding schedule that has tested squad depth.
Despite those challenges, Tinkler was clear in accepting responsibility for the team’s struggles.
“The second half of the season, we haven’t been good enough and I take full responsibility for that as the head coach, I have to find ways to win football matches.”
While the recent draw did little to separate Sekhukhune from their direct rivals, it also ensured they remain firmly in contention heading into the final stretch of the campaign. With seven matches still to play, the margin for error is slim — but the opportunity remains.
“What’s important now is how we finish, we still have seven games and potentially we can still reach our objectives, top three has always been our object and we can still achieve that.”
For Sekhukhune, the equation is now simple — consistency must replace inconsistency.
Their remaining fixtures will demand sharper execution in both boxes, particularly in tight matches where fine margins often decide outcomes. If they are to break into the top three, Babina Noko must rediscover the resilience and balance that defined their earlier form — starting immediately.