Boost for Babina Noko as Eric Tinkler reports clean bill of health

Babina Noko take on University of Pretoria brimming with confidence as they look to extend their run in one of the continent’s premier knockout competitions.

While fully aware of the threat posed by the second-tier outfit, Tinkler says he is relieved to head into the fixture with a clean bill of health.

"We have a number of players coming back from either suspension or from injury, so its making the pool of players I have available much bigger. Obviously, after coming off three wins in a row, the mood and confidence is very high at training. The intensity of the training sessions has improved, as well as the energy," said Tinkler

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Tinkler believes his charges are now also over the recent slump, which he said was due to facing top sides while juggling player fitness. 

With that fixture conundrum behind them, Tinkler is ready for a purple patch. 

"My thought process was its going to take time, and once we have everyone back and the new signings get their fitness to the level that is required, we are only going to be stronger. So I had no doubt that we would get better. I think that's more important — we have come through that phase and we have improved. There's still room for improvement but in my view, we will peak at the right time."

Tinkler admitted Sekhukhune were lacklustre in the previous round of the Nedbank Cup against Highbury, a Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit. 

He hopes there will not be a repeat against Tuks.