Eric Tinkler: PSL Club Part Ways With Bafana Bafana Legend, Appoint Former Orlando Pirates Star
- A Premier Soccer League club have decided to let go of a former South African international despite having a good season
- The Betway Premiership side are still in the race to finish in the top three but has taken the decision not to wait until the end of the season
- The Bafana Bafana legend has reportedly been replaced by a former Orlando Pirates star till the end of the 2025-26 campaign
Premier Soccer League side Sekhukhune United have reportedly decided to part ways with Bafana Bafana legend Eric Tinkler, with a former Orlando Pirates star appointed as his replacement.
Source: Twitter
The South African tactician was appointed as Babina Noko's head coach in March, 2025. He took over from Lehlohonolo Seema and has had a successful stint with the Limpopo-based club.
The former Bafana Bafana star led DINOKO to a fourth-place finish last season, while riding on the good work his predecessor laid down before taking over, and this season, he has been one of the best managers in the league.
They've been one of the teams determining the Betway Premiership title race this season, as they've had good results against the top two contenders, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
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Sekhukhune United part ways with Tinkler
Reports from different South African outlets confirmed that Tinkler has been let go by Sekhukhune United, with the club board appointing former Orlando Pirates star Paulus Masehe as his replacement on an interim basis.
For the remainder of the season, Masehe will lead the team, while assistant coach Mark van Heerden has also left his role.
Babina Noko has also undergone structural changes in its football department, bringing in Walter Steenbok as Director of Football Strategy to work alongside Sporting Director McDonald Makubedi.
Sekhukhune are now expected to begin the search for a permanent head coach, who will take charge of the team for next season and in the near future.
Why Sekhukhune parted ways with Tinkler
Tinkler’s last game in charge of Dinoko was a narrow 1–0 win over 2024-25 Carling Knockout Cup winners Magesi FC over the weekend, which ended a five-match winless run in the Betway Premiership.
The poor run of form in the last five games also played a major role in the club's decision to let go of the former Cape Town City mentor.
Source: Getty Images
At the start of the current season, Tinkler was tasked with a clear objective: finish in the top three in the Betway Premiership and win at least one domestic trophy from the MTN8, Carling Knockout, or Nedbank Cup, a condition he openly accepted before the start of the ongoing campaign.
With the season still underway, Sekhukhune look like they are not going to win any silverware this season, but they are still in contention to finish in the top three.
Sekhukhune were tipped as favourites to win the Nedbank Cup when all the top sides were knocked out of the competition, but their campaign ended in disappointment after a quarter-final exit to Milford FC, heightening pressure on the technical staff.
Ouaddou explains why he's not worried
Briefly News also reported that Abdeslam Ouaddou explained why he's not bothered despite Orlando Pirates dropping points against Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership.
The former Marumo Gallants head coach has been unable to beat Babina Noko in the league this season, after losing the first leg against Eric Tinkler's side.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
