Paulus Masehe along with Andre Arendse will lead Sekhukhune United in the interim after Eric Tinkler's departure.
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Sekhukhune United return to action under interim leadership with plenty to prove as they host Marumo Gallants in a high-stakes Betway Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
It has been a turbulent period for Sekhukhune following the departure of Eric Tinkler, with their first outing under interim duo Paulus Masehe and Andre Arendse ending in a heavy defeat to Stellenbosch.
That result exposed defensive frailties and underlined the scale of the task facing the new technical team.
Despite that setback, Sekhukhune remain within touching distance of the top three, though the gap to Kaizer Chiefs continues to grow.
With five matches remaining, consistency is now non-negotiable if they are to mount any late push.
Their recent form has been inconsistent, with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five matches across all competitions.
Over the course of the campaign, however, they have shown a solid defensive base, conceding just 20 goals while scoring 25 — numbers that reflect a team built on structure.
At home, Sekhukhune have been particularly resilient, losing just twice while collecting five wins and five draws. That record offers encouragement as they look to respond to their latest setback and reassert control in familiar surroundings.
For Gallants, the picture is far more urgent — and now comes with a new voice on the touchline.
Following the departure of Alexandre Lafitte, the club have turned to Trevor Mathiane on an interim basis, a bold move considering the young defender only began the season as a player.
It signals both desperation and a shift in approach as Gallants search for inspiration in the final stretch.
Currently sitting 15th on the table, they are firmly entrenched in the relegation battle with time running out. Their tally of four wins, eight draws and thirteen defeats reflects a campaign plagued by inconsistency and a lack of cutting edge.
Gallants have managed just 17 goals while conceding 34, and their recent form — two draws and three defeats in the last five — highlights the scale of the challenge facing Mathiane in his new role.
Away from home, their struggles are even more pronounced, with just two wins in 13 matches.
That lack of confidence on the road adds further pressure ahead of a trip where anything less than maximum points could have serious consequences.
Recent meetings between the sides suggest a competitive edge, with their last encounter ending in a 1-1 draw.
However, Sekhukhune have held the upper hand overall, winning three of the last five clashes.
With contrasting objectives — one chasing stability, the other survival — this encounter shapes up as a defining moment for both teams as the season edges toward its conclusion.