Tinkler Addresses Babina Noko Slump

Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler admits “panic on the ball” is fueling his side’s second-half season collapse.

Following a damaging defeat to Golden Arrows over the weekend, Babina Noko has plummeted from third to sixth in the Betway Premiership standings.

Now winless in five matches across all competitions, Tinkler is feeling the heat. Despite a dominant start to the 2025/26 campaign that saw them firmly entrenched in the top three, the wheels have come off for the Limpopo-based outfit.

Why is Sekhukhune United struggling in the second half of the season?

“It’s a disappointing second half of the season,” a candid Tinkler admitted.

“We aren’t performing with the confidence and belief we had at the beginning. Now, it’s about trying to rediscover that composure.”

The coach highlighted a recurring lack of clinical execution under pressure. “There were moments in the game where we didn’t show composure; we panicked on the ball,” he added.

What was Eric Tinkler’s reaction to the Golden Arrows defeat?

The club’s last league victory dates back to February against bottom-placed Orbit College. Since then, the goals have dried up. Despite the Arrows loss, Tinkler remains adamant that his defensive structures are holding, blaming individual lapses instead.

“They didn’t really pose a major threat, especially in possession. We dealt with them comfortably,” Tinkler noted. “It was just that one moment—a lapse of concentration in possession—and you give it away.”

The Road Ahead: Can Sekhukhune bounce back against AmaZulu?

With the FIFA international break offering a much-needed reset, Tinkler’s focus has shifted entirely to their April clash against third-placed AmaZulu.

“We need to win our next game to get our belief back,” Tinkler emphasized.

“That is the most important thing. I can’t think long-term right now; I have to think about the next match and getting this team a positive result.”