Sekhukhune United’s strong start driven by team spirit and winning mentality, says Tinkler

Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler has credited the never-say-die attitude of his players as the fuel that drives them to want to be at their best with every passing game.

Sekhukhune have surprisingly been the best team in the Betway Premiership since the start of the season. They are unbeaten in eight games - following six wins and two draws - and are top of the log with 20 points.

Their sensational start has tipped them as one of the contenders for the league title—a feat that should surely inspire Tinkler and his troops to improve with every passing game.

“I think we have the will to win, and always want to find the will to win,” said Tinkler, speaking after their 1-1 draw with Chippa United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday. “That’s irrespective of whether we are down (a man)—the players just want to win.”

Bradley Grobler has led Sekhukhune’s title charge this season. He has scored six league goals in eight matches, defying his age at 37. Grobler is also just four goals away from breaking Peter Shalulile’s PSL all-time record of 130 goals.

However, Tinkler hasn’t singled out the striker as the difference between their exceptional start to the season and last season’s fourth-place finish, but credits the overall team effort.

“The contribution from everyone—either in the starting lineup or from the bench—is impressive. Everyone wants to contribute to the success of the club,” Tinkler said.

Grobler scored the equaliser from the penalty spot against the Chilli Boys in Polokwane, but he missed a follow-up penalty that could have sealed all three points for his team right at the death.

Granted, Sekhukhune were disappointed with the missed opportunity to tighten their grip at the top of the standings—especially with champions Mamelodi Sundowns losing earlier in the day—but Tinkler didn’t fault his troops for their efforts.

“We had a chance to win it right at the end with another penalty, so I can’t fault the boys for the effort when that type of thing happens,” Tinkler said. “We are disappointed, all of us—the staff and players.

“I would have liked to collect the three points today because we deserved to collect maximum points today.”

Babina Noko’s efforts haven't gone unnoticed, with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos calling up three of their players—Siphesihle Mkhize, Vuyo Letlapa, and Keletso Makgalwa—in his preliminary squad for the two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: away to Zimbabwe and at home to Rwanda next month.

Broos is expected to trim the squad to his final 23-member squad next week before the penultimate and final qualifiers to decide Bafana’s World Cup fate are played at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10 and at Mbombela Stadium four days later.

This is why Tinkler has reflected on what it will mean for the club if they have player representatives in the two qualifiers, which could send the national team to the global showpiece for the first time since 2010 when Bafana were hosts.

“Yeah, it’s good to have players in that preliminary group,” Tinkler said. “So, let’s see if any of them end up making that final squad which would be great for the club.”