Former Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler has been appointed as the new head coach of Sekhukhune United.
The 54-year-old signed a contract following the departure of Lehlohonolo Seema, which was confirmed by the club after a Nedbank Cup press conference last Thursday, despite a successful season.
Tinkler will be assisted by Paulus Masehe, Marc Van Heerden, and goalkeeper coach Nascent Nkwashu. Notably, Tinkler and Van Heerden previously worked together at Cape Town City FC.
Eric Tinkler, who obtained his UEFA B Coaching License in September 2024, will take charge immediately. His first match will be against Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, where he will be joined by assistant coaches Van Heerden and Masehe.
Sekhukhune United’s Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Mamelodi Sundowns has been postponed due to a double booking at Lucas Moripe Stadium, which hosted the U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Kaitano Tembo who served as an assistant to Seema will now take charge of one of the youth sides.
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TINKLER HANDS COACHING OPPORTUNITY TO VAN HEERDEN
Having coached Van Heerden at City, Tinkler has handed the former defender his first coaching job. Tinkler has previously done the same for the likes of Vincent Kobola and Lebohang Manyama.
Van Heerden completed his UEFA B in September last year. He will be hoping to learn from his former boss.
The 54-year-old coach, who earned 45 caps for Bafana Bafana between 1994 and 2002, was part of the squad that won the 1996 AFCON final.
He became head coach of Orlando Pirates in December 2013. He left the Soweto giants to become the first head coach of Cape Town City on 17 June 2016. On 8 June 2017 he moved to become head coach of SuperSport United.
He quit a year later in March 2018. After a spell with Chippa United, he became manager of the now defunct Maritzburg United in January 2019. He left the club in November 2020, returning as coach of City in May 2021. He was relieved of his duties in December 2024 after a difficult spell earlier in the season. Muhsin Ertugral replaced him.
His task at Babina Noko will be to guide the team to a top four finish.