Sekhukhune to lean on lower league experience against Milford

Tinkler believes narrow victories over Highbury FC and AmaTuks earlier in the tournament has given his team useful experience against lower-division opposition.

Babina Noko host the Motsepe Foundation Championship log leaders at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, with a place in the semifinals at stake.

"Ultimately, we played two NFD teams and both those games were extremely tough and hopefully we've learnt our lessons from those two previous games so that we can take that experience and knowledge into this one.

"It's not going to be easy. Even if we do pitch up 100% focused and with the understanding that we have to play with intensity, we still realise that it is going to be a tough game."

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Tinkler’s concern, however, is that Sekhukhune do not have ample time to properly study the opposition because of their travelling schedule this week following a midweek Betway Premiership fixture in Durban on Wednesday night.

"It becomes difficult for me to now sit and analyse Milford. I can see what strategy they may or may not come with, but I don't have time to do tactical planning. All I can do is show video footage to the players because I said today we travelled and tomorrow is a captain's run.

"For example, I want to go press. I can't do a pressing exercise because it demands energy so if I use all that energy tomorrow to try and teach them pressing against Milford, when matchday comes they are not going to be able to. 

"Fact of the matter is, whatever Milford's plan is, we are going to have to adapt to it."

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder will try to also prioritise rest for his players in between preparing for Milford. 

Tinkler also warned the Premiership sides not to be complacent against the lower division outfits with several of them making up the last eight of the competition and determined to cause upsets.