League title race is still on: Tinkler

Sekhukhune United head coach, Eric Tinkler, believes the Betway Premiership title race remains wide open, despite Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-1 victory over log leaders Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

Babina Noko are currently three points behind Sundowns, having played two matches more, and Tinkler says the coming weeks will offer a clearer picture as the season heads toward an exciting finish.

“I saw players cramping from Sundowns, and why is that? It’s the hectic schedule they have, and somewhere along the line that’s going to affect them,” he said. “Now it’s going to be about whether teams are going to take points off them. Are they beatable? Yes, they are, but you can’t deny the quality that they have.”

Tinkler believes Sundowns’ congested fixture list — particularly with their CAF Champions League knockout campaign starting next month — could test their consistency.

Looking ahead, Tinkler outlined his own targets for Sekhukhune United, saying he believes 54 points could be enough for a top-three finish.

“My target, points-wise was 54. The highest number of points Sekhukhune United has ever achieved was 48 last season, when the club finished fourth,” Tinkler said. “The season I finished second at Cape Town City, we had 48 points. The season I finished third, we had 53 points. But I firmly believe that with 54 points, you will be in the top three.”