Warning to Orlando Pirates & Kaizer Chiefs? Sekhukhune United coach makes bold claim

Published on by Joel Oliver

The returning tactician has revealed a big ambition that should worry the Soweto giants

Sekhukhune United coach Lehlohonolo Seema believes his side should be able to challenge for the PSL title in the next three years.

Seema made a return to Sekhukhune last week, three months after his shock departure, to replace German Peter Hyballa, who lasted one-and-a-half months at the club, and he has big ambitions.

The tactician initially joined Babina Noko in November 2023 when they were 11th in the PSL and had led them to fourth place in the PSL by the time the club put in him on ‘special leave,’ before he was replaced, and after securing CAF Confederation Cup qualification, he believes a Champions League spot is next before the league crown.

“Let’s see if we can go for that league and give it a shot and go as far as further where we finished in the group stages [of CAF Confed Cup] in position three or even the Champions League,” Seema told Metro FM’s Sports Nights Amplified.

Sekhukhune United technical bench. Photo: Sekhukhune United
Sekhukhune United technical bench. Photo: Sekhukhune United

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“I think by the end of my contract, we should be challenging for the league. It’s my personal ambition.

“It can happen early, but I’m being realistic. I’m saying I’m giving this myself three years and at the end of my contract, I should be challenging for the league.

“And I think by that time, the players that we have acquired now, would’ve gelled and played together for sometime a lot of games. And I think the team by then, it will be ready.”

Babina Noko released 13 players at the end of last season and have brought in 10 so far to beef up the squad.

The squad is a mix of experienced and youthful players and Seema has sent a warning to clubs who are angling for some of his top talents.

Sekhukhune United
Sekhukhune United

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“Chairman told me straight up, ‘We’re not a selling team’. Yes, one or two if there’s a need but we’re looking forward to make sure that maybe in two or three years, we can trust and start to challenge,” he added.

“We’re trying to have a balance so that slowly we make sure that these young ones we integrate them so that we can have a team that can sustain us for long.”

Mamelodi Sundowna have won the PSL in the last seven years with Orlando Pirates and by extension, Kaizer Chiefs trying without success.

Sekhukhune will begin their season with a CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round tie on September 13 before their first PSL match against newly-promoted Magesi FC five days later. 

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Joel Oliver

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.