Tinkler targets Top 3 and CAF return with Sekhukhune United

Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler has outlined his ambitions of securing a Top 3 finish this season, with the ultimate goal of returning to the CAF Confederation Cup.

The 2025/26 Betway Premiership offers a fresh opportunity for Babina Noko to make that push, and their campaign gets underway with a high-stakes opening fixture against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).

Tinkler’s charges will have little room to ease into the season, especially considering their previous success at the same venue. Sekhukhune were one of just two teams to beat Pirates at Orlando last term, a 1-0 result that dealt a major blow to the Buccaneers’ title hopes.

However, that statement victory wasn’t enough to secure continental qualification, as Sekhukhune narrowly missed out on third place — a finish that would have seen them return to the Confederation Cup. After consecutive fourth-place finishes, the club has been active in the transfer market in a bid to bolster its squad for a stronger run this season.

Tinkler believes they now have the depth and quality to finally break into the top three.

“We are hoping that we can improve on last season; that is always the objective and the target you set for yourself as a club and as a coach individually,” Tinkler said during the Betway Premiership launch.

“The club has finished fourth twice, two seasons in a row, just fell short of CAF Confed, so next season you want to take that one step higher.

“We are not looking at it as being in the top three but more as points — can we achieve a certain amount of points this season? The club has never broken the 50-point mark, can we do that as a club?

“Because that will mean we are moving in the right direction as a club and come the end of the season, that will possibly guarantee you a top-three finish.”

While Mamelodi Sundowns continue to dominate South African league football, Tinkler insists the focus should not solely be on dethroning the champions but on collecting points consistently against all teams.

The former Pirates boss has challenged his side to be more ruthless throughout the league season, particularly in away games, if they hope to close the considerable gap on Sundowns, who finished last season with an impressive 73 points.

“It’s not beating Sundowns, it’s about being able to beat all the other sides in the league,” Tinkler continued.

“Those are the games that are the most important for collecting points away from home. Those are the results that become more important if you want to be competing with Sundowns.

“When I was still coaching Pirates the target used to be 60 points and you win the league and we used to break them down into ten points every five games. It’s 73 points now and we are achieving seven or eight points.

“The gap between us and Sundowns is still massive, can we close that gap, can we hit 50? We are still far behind Sundowns, but we are moving in the right direction.”