Latest news with #EricTinkler
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
New signings tipped to power Sekhukhune's campaign
AS it happened at Cape Town City, Eric Tinkler begins preseason with a slew of new players at his disposal. | BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Sekhukhune United have acted swiftly in the current transfer window, making strategic signings that reflect their ambition to remain among the Premiership's elite and return to continental competition in the upcoming season. Babina Noko has established itself as one of the more consistent sides in the top flight. Despite parting ways with head coach Lehlohonolo Seema midway through last season, they continued pushing for a top-three finish. fter Tinkler took over, their campaign saw them narrowly miss continental qualification, with Stellenbosch FC claiming third place late in the season. The Limpopo-based club has been one of the most active outfits in the transfer market, and their recent additions appear carefully targeted to address specific weaknesses from the previous campaign and also get their attention fully on taking charge of the journey back to the continental space. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Here, we will highlight their three standout signings and assess how each could shape Sekhukhune's 2025/26 campaign. Miguel Timm – stability in the midfield Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm in action FILE—Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm in action. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Experienced midfielder Miguel Timm brings composure and tactical awareness to Sekhukhune's engine room. The former Orlando Pirates player didn't necessarily fall short in performance but found himself edged out of regular minutes due to a surge of good talent at the Buccaneers. Timm now arrives at Babina Noko with a strong pedigree. He was part of Jose Riveiro's silverware-laden squad at Pirates, contributing to domestic cup success and gaining continental experience. 🚨 NEW SIGNING 🚨 SEKHUKHUNE UNITED FC confirms the signing of Miguel Timm, from ORLANDO PIRATES. Miguel brings valuable experience and a positive attitude. Welcome to Babina Noko! 🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe#BabinaNokoPreSeason#Betway2025_26Loading — Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) July 11, 2025 His presence is expected to bolster the Limpopo-based outfit's midfield defensively and in transition, adding maturity and leadership in crucial phases. Timm will bring the added advantage of being used to constant expectations, and he might thrive being a part of a side with slightly lesser expectations but huge ambitions to succeed. Bradley Grobler — proven goal threat Bradley Grobler has scored six goals this season. Bradley Grobler. BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Even with an impressive 39 goals scored across 28 matches last season, Sekhukhune have opted to sharpen their attack by bringing in seasoned striker Bradley Grobler. His signing not only adds quality finishing but also brings invaluable experience to the front line. The 37-year-old forward has struggled with injuries over the years, but when fit, he remains one of the most clinical strikers in South African football. If he stays healthy this season, he could easily reach double figures in goals. Grobler joins from the recently sold Supersport United, and he carries an impressive career tally of 121 goals. Sphiwe Mahlangu — Tactical flexibility Sphiwe Mahlangu of TS Galaxy and Siphamandla Nzuza of Durban City duel during their Nedbank Cup clash. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Sphiwe Mahlangu joins Sekhukhune from TS Galaxy, bringing with him versatility, pace, and attacking creativity. Able to operate on either wing and influence build-up play, Mahlangu provides Tinkler with much-needed depth in wide areas and also as an option as a forward. The former Highlands Park attacker had a solid 2024/25 season, playing in all of TS Galaxy's league matches and helping them to a fifth-place finish. Across 131 Premiership appearances, he has registered 14 goals and 10 assists. With his proven ability to impact games and consistent top-flight experience, Mahlangu is likely to hit the ground running in his new colors.
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sekhukhune retain their core squad, say goodbye to Sangare ahead of new season
Sekhukhune United captain Linda Mntambo has re-signed with the club ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Sekhukhune United would have been disappointed to miss out on continental football after finishing fourth in the Betway Premiership last season. But Ba Bina Noko appear content with their current squad and are opting for continuity ahead of the new campaign. The club, which plays their home matches at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane despite being based in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, have extended the contracts of five key players as they look to remain among the top performers in the elite league. Captain Linda Mntambo and vice-captain Daniel Cardoso have both signed new deals after their contracts expired at the end of June — a clear indication that Sekhukhune are looking to build around the veteran leadership of the 35- and 36-year-olds respectively. Also staying on are Chibuike Ohizu, Tresor Tshibwabwa and Vusimusi Ncube, who will all be central to coach Eric Tinkler's ambitions of turning Sekhukhune into a top-three side and returning to continental competition. The club previously featured in Africa after reaching the Nedbank Cup final. However, there is one notable departure. Ivorian international goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare has left the club following the expiry of his contract at the end of June. The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winner had been a key figure for Sekhukhune since joining in 2022, playing a vital role in their rise as a competitive outfit. The club confirmed his exit on Tuesday morning with a heartfelt message: '(Tuesday) we say goodbye to our shot-stopper, Badra Ali Sangare, who joined Babina Noko on July 1, 2022. Your safe hands, big saves and fearless heart made us proud every time you stepped on the pitch. 'Our name echoed across the whole of Africa when you collected your coveted gold medal as an African champion. You'll always be part of this family. We wish you nothing but success in your next chapter.' Sekhukhune will also be hoping their next chapter is smoother than the last. The club endured a season of instability, cycling through four coaches. Eric Tinkler should have a stable base to build off of when Sekhukhune United start the new PSL season. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Final-day drama: Premiership battles set for decisive Saturday showdowns
Oscarine Masuluke Stellenbosch currently hold the crucial third-place spot in the Premiership. Here, Stellies goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke celebrates. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix As the Premiership gears up for a spectacular Saturday with six matches kicking off simultaneously at 3pm, the schedule is brimming with intense rivalries and the potential for unexpected twists. The teams will be vying for crucial points that could shape their seasons. Each club brings its own narrative, and the outcomes have the potential to reshape the Premiership log on a day that marks the final matches for 12 teams. Four other teams – Orlando Pirates, Magesi FC, Golden Arrows, and SuperSport United – each have one outstanding fixture following Saturday's round. Every goal scored and every point earned will matter more than ever, with several positions potentially being decided on goal difference as the PSL season reaches its climax. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix CAF Confederation Cup ticket A gripping showdown is set as Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United battle for a coveted place in next season's CAF Confederation Cup. With just one match remaining, the stakes could not be higher. Stellenbosch currently sit third, holding a slender one-point lead. Their route to continental football is straightforward: a victory in their derby clash against Cape Town City on Saturday would seal qualification, securing a second consecutive appearance on the African stage. However, if they draw or lose, the door opens for Sekhukhune, who will be looking to take full advantage with a win at Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban. Should Stellenbosch lose and Sekhukhune draw, goal difference will determine who earns the final Confederation Cup ticket in what has become a tightly contested race. No holds barred in Top 8 scramble The race for the final MTN8 spots is heating up, with a frantic fight to fill the remaining three positions. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune and TS Galaxy (who, like Sundowns, have completed their league campaign with 28 games) have already secured their berths in this prestigious tournament. AmaZulu, in sixth with 34 points, appear safe thanks to their superior goal difference, giving them a comfortable cushion. That leaves six clubs in a fierce struggle to claim the final two slots: Polokwane City (33 points), Kaizer Chiefs (31), Chippa United (31 from 28 games), Marumo Gallants (31), Richards Bay (30) and Magesi (29). Polokwane could secure their spot even with a draw or loss against Chiefs. For the others, victory is essential if they are to secure a place in next season's Top 8 – setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. One more to go. But before we close the chapter, let's rewind to Jaedin's goal last time out 🔥 Let's finish strong 💪 — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 22, 2025 Promotion-relegation play-offs awash with uncertainty Following Royal AM's expulsion, no club faces automatic relegation, but the team finishing 15th will enter the PSL promotion-relegation playoffs against two First Division sides. The battle to avoid this fate is tight, with three teams still at risk: Lamontville Golden Arrows (26 games, 27 points), SuperSport United (26 games, 26 points) and Cape Town City (27 games, 26 points). If City lose to Stellenbosch on Saturday, they will be consigned to the play-offs – unless SuperSport fail to win either of their two remaining fixtures. Should both clubs end on 26 points, goal difference will determine who drops into the playoff zone. Arrows are best positioned to escape danger, but back-to-back defeats – against Sekhukhune and SuperSport – could see them slide into trouble. After Saturday's action, the final picture will come into focus when Arrows and SuperSport replay their abandoned February fixture, wrapping up what has been a turbulent and unpredictable season.
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Tinkler defiant as Sekhukhune's CAF Confederation Cup hopes hang in the balance
Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler might miss out on the Top 3 objective set out by the team. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The continental football goal that Eric Tinkler was tasked with achieving at Sekhukhune United is looking increasingly unlikely. However, South Africa's famed ginger remains unfazed about his future. Tinkler must guide Sekhukhune to victory in their final Betway Premiership clash away to Golden Arrows and hope that Stellenbosch FC drop points against Cape Town City on Saturday if they are to secure third place — the position that guarantees qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup. That was the mandate handed to him when he joined Sekhukhune midway through the season as a replacement for Lehlohonolo Seema, but failure to meet it does not necessarily mean he will be sacked. 'I don't think that's the case. It's too early for that,' was Tinkler's curt response when asked whether he fears for his job. As it stands, the experienced coach — who has led numerous local clubs and enjoyed credible runs in continental competitions — believes he has done a solid job so far at Sekhukhune. 'Definitely,' he said when asked if he was satisfied with his impact to date. 'Like I said to the players before this game (against Kaizer Chiefs), in the last seven matches you've collected 14 points. Now, if you do that throughout the season and show consistency in your results, you're fighting for the top two positions. 'Obviously what we've achieved so far is very, very good. But I would have preferred three points today because we want to finish third. And today felt more like we dropped two points.' Tinkler was speaking to the media in the bowels of the Peter Mokaba Stadium after Sekhukhune's 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs. Ngoanmello Rammala had given Sekhukhune the lead, only for Glody Lilepo to equalise on the stroke of half-time. 'I'm not entirely happy because we were aiming to collect three points to ensure we held on to third spot. But with Stellies winning, they've gone a point ahead of us. That makes the final game even more important, and unfortunately, we now rely on others to help us out.' He admitted to being surprised by Chiefs' tactical approach. 'They caught us off guard by coming out with a 3-4-3 system. In the first half, we struggled to contain (Gaston) Sirino and Lilepo — they were effectively playing as two number tens. At the back, we gave them a few half-chances. 'On the ball, we had spoken about the importance of our penetration and movement. In the first half, we created chances and scored, which was positive.' However, he was disappointed with how his team conceded the equaliser. 'We had a great cross into the box, the ball came to Keletso (Makgalwa), but we lost possession and applied no pressure on (Yusuf) Mart, who played it straight through to Lilepo. We'd spoken about showing him outside because he wants to cut in and shoot with his right foot, and yet we let him go exactly where he's strongest. Conceding right before half-time was extremely disappointing for me.' Tinkler will no doubt be even more disappointed if Sekhukhune fail to qualify for continental football — a goal that now hinges as much on their own performance as on the results of their rivals.
News24
02-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Tinkler shattered SA missed out on dream CAF final
Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler has expressed his heartbreak after an all-South African dream CAF Champions League final was shattered last week. Tinkler's former club, Orlando Pirates, were eliminated by Pyramids FC of Egypt in the semi-final, while Mamelodi Sundowns reached the final at the expense of Egyptian giants Al Ahly last weekend. The two PSL powerhouses travelled to Cairo for the return legs last Friday after goalless stalemates at home a week earlier. Pirates lost 3-2 on aggregate but Sundowns advanced to the final on the away goals rule after holding off Al Ahly 1-1. Tinkler, who coached Pirates between 2013 and 2016, knows too well the disappointment of coming close to lifting a continental trophy. He suffered defeats in the 2015 and 2017 CAF Confederation Cup final - the first with Pirates against Étoile du Sahel of Tunisia and later with SuperSport United against the Democratic Republic of Congo's TP Mazembe. Tinkler was an assistant to coach Roger De Sa when the Buccaneers lost to Al Ahly in the Champions League final in 2013. Speaking to the media after Sekhukhune edged Pirates 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, the 1996 Afcon winner with Bafana Bafana showed his soft spot for his former club. In his last foray on the continent, Tinkler guided Cape Town City in their maiden Champions League three seasons ago. The 54-year-old is eager to return to the CAF interclub competition next season with Sekhukhune, who he joined in March after he was fired by Cape Town City late last year.
