Tinkler Reflects on Hard-Fought Draw Against Pirates: “We Had to Suffer”

Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler admitted his side had to endure a relentless Orlando Pirates attack in their goalless draw, praising his players’ defensive resilience and goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner’s heroics.

The encounter saw Pirates dominate possession and create numerous chances, but Leaner produced a string of outstanding saves to keep the Buccaneers at bay. His performance, coupled with disciplined defending from Bright Ndlovu and Danny Cardoso, ensured Sekhukhune walked away with a valuable point.

Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, Tinkler was candid about the challenges his team faced.

“We had to suffer,” he said. “We needed to be better on the ball and cut out mistakes. In the first half we couldn’t string three or four passes together, and against a team like Pirates that puts you under real pressure.”

Despite the struggles in midfield, Tinkler highlighted the defensive solidity that kept his side in the contest.

“Bright, Danny, and Renaldo all had excellent games,” he noted, acknowledging the trio’s crucial role in shutting down Pirates’ waves of attack.

The second half brought slight improvement, with Sekhukhune managing to hold possession more effectively, but Tinkler admitted the team still lacked sharpness in the final third.

“We still lacked quality going forward and had to absorb wave after wave of pressure,” he added.

While the draw may not have been the most glamorous result, it showcased Sekhukhune’s grit and determination against one of the league’s most dangerous attacking outfits.

Next up for Sekhukhune is a daunting clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, who come into the fixture wounded after dropping points in their CAF Champions League encounter against Sudanese giants Al Hilal.