Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler is leaving nothing to chance. He has called for maximum intensity ahead of their Nedbank Cup last 32 match. The Babina Noko face Highbury tomorrow at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Tinkler is wary of complacency. His team recently secured a 1-0 league win against TS Galaxy. Often, players drop their energy levels after such a result. Tinkler insists his squad must raise their level instead.
The coach highlighted the physical toll on his team. They recently completed a grueling run of four matches in 12 days. This period included tough fixtures against Stellenbosch, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Breaking that difficult streak with a win was vital for the squad’s mindset. Tinkler praised his players for their positive response and hard work during this period.
According to sowetan.co.za, Tinkler believes quality alone will not secure a result. He noted that Highbury plays a different brand of football compared to the Premiership. To progress to the last 16, Sekhukhune must match the energy and effort of the Motsepe Foundation Championship side.
Fans looking for insights on upcoming knockout matches can check the latest betting predictions.
The Nedbank Cup is famous for its unpredictable nature. Tinkler’s focus remains on the psychological response of his players. He believes the team managed to get into a good headspace after the Galaxy win. Now, they must build on that foundation.
Selected Nedbank Cup Fixtures
Friday:
- Durban v Chippa (7pm)
- Vasco v Luthuli (7pm)
Saturday:
- Highbury v Sekhukhune (3pm)
- Tshakhuma v Pirates (3pm)
- Upington v Magesi (3pm)
- Arrows v Orbit (6pm)
Sunday:
- Lions v University of PTA (3pm)
- Galaxy v Gallants (3pm)