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Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler says his side paid the price for too many errors in their 2–0 MTN8 semi-final first-leg defeat to Stellenbosch at a rain-soaked Danie Craven Stadium.
He admitted his players struggled to adapt to the heavy pitch and wet conditions, while Stellenbosch showed greater composure and punished Babina Noko’s mistakes.
"You are going to get a chance here and there in football, and you got to capatilise on those chances, and this evening we didn't do that.
"If you look at the chances created by both teams, Stellenbosch created the better quality chances. They are a team that are designed to play on your mistakes, and when they counter, they make sure that they punish, which is something we do not do," explained Tinkler.
The result also underlined Tinkler’s ongoing battle with Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker. Saturday’s defeat stretched Tinkler’s poor head-to-head record to eight losses, two draws and just three wins. The former Bafana Bafana midfielder conceded that Barker seems to have the edge in their coaching rivalry, something he still hasn’t found the formula to overcome.
"I don't have a great record against Stellies, especially with Cape Town City, so it obviously plays in the back of your mind, but I really want to win the next time we face them."
Tinkler also pointed to the heavy surface, worsened by overnight rain and recent rugby matches at Danie Craven Stadium.
He says both teams were forced into a more direct game, but it was Stellenbosch who dealt with the second balls and adapted their style much better than his charges.
Despite the setback, Babina Noko remain unbeaten in the Betway Premiership, with victories over TS Galaxy and Orlando Pirates, plus their MTN8 quarterfinal win.
Tinkler says the team needs small tweaks ahead of their league tie with Orbit College on Tuesday, but insists the loss doesn’t undo the positive momentum from their strong start to the season.
