Tinkler Addresses Rumors Of Makgalwa’s Exit From Sekhukhune

Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler has addressed the rumours of the winger, Keletso Makgalwa, being unsettled at the club during the pre-season.

Makgalwa joined Sekhukhune on a three-year deal from Upington City FC and went on to become one of the most outstanding performers for the club.

Furthermore, the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker had an impressive season in the 2024/25 season, which earned him a nomination for PSL Football Player of the Season and Player’s Player of the season.

With speculations around the 27-year-old’s leaving the club and Tinkler has addressed those rumours.

“I think we’ve had that conversation a couple of times already,” said Tinkler.

“I tend to disagree. I don’t think he’s done that well in the three games that he’s played. First game, yes, he had an assist, but that was from a corner. But he hasn’t created a lot of opportunities for himself or others in these last two matches,” said Tinkler.

“There are always those rumours, especially after being elected for Player of the Season, having the most assists, blah, blah.

“But a lot of that comes down to media, not always the media, sometimes it is more the agent that starts putting out that information, and we’ve made Keletso aware we would never stand in his way of getting a better contract somewhere else.

“But there needs to be an offer, and there hasn’t been, so it’s all talk, and what he must be aware of, he’s a professional footballer, he has a contract with Sekhukhune United, and he needs to duplicate what he did last season.

“Then people will take him more seriously; it won’t just be hearsay from the agent and the press, the clubs will be contacting Sekhukhune,” Tinkler added.

The 55-year-old also praised the new arrival, Medupi Thokolo, signed from Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars, and the scouting process that brought him in. Thokolo was named man of the match when Babina Noko beat Orlando Pirates in the first game of the Betway Premiership season at Orlando Stadium last weekend.

“When I joined Sekhukhune, we came to realize that one department of the team that we needed to strengthen was centre back,” said Tinkler.

“And we started scouting and looking at quite a few players, some at bigger clubs. The CEO Jonas told me about the young boy at Casric, and I watched him against Cape Town City in the play-offs, both home and away, and what I saw from those two matches, I was pretty happy with what I saw.”

“Although on the ball I wasn’t too sure because the brand of football that Casric plays is very difficult, but the defending qualities he showed were very good, and I think you know I like giving young players opportunities. I told Jonas, let us sign him, let us bring him in, and maybe he will be one for the future.

“We’ll groom him, but after a week’s worth of training, I came to realize that he’s better than what I thought, and threw him straight in.

“So I think he’s got a bright future as long as he stays grounded. He’s got two man-of-the-match awards so far, but too much media attention can send you in the wrong direction. So hopefully he’ll stay grounded.”