Rested Sekhukhune United will be ready to reignite title push

Sekhukhune United’s near month-long break from Premiership action might prove to be a blessing in disguise as they prepare to enter a busy phase of the season with a refreshed and well-rested squad.

Although it may have been disappointing for coach Eric Tinkler that none of his players featured for Bafana Bafana during the recently concluded 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers — despite their strong start to the season — the break could end up working in their favour.

Having collected just one point from their last two league matches, the Limpopo-based side will now look to reignite their push for the top of the Betway Premiership standings.

Babina Noko were initially scheduled to face Mamelodi Sundowns this week, but the fixture was postponed due to the Brazilians’ CAF Champions League commitments in Nigeria, where they faced Remo Stars in the second preliminary round. 

In truth, the timing may have not been ideal for Sekhukhune. After nearly three weeks without a competitive outing, facing a confident and in-form Sundowns outfit might have posed more challenges than advantages.

Currently sitting second on the table — just one point behind the Brazilians — Sekhukhune have been among the standout teams of the campaign. Their consistency has raised eyebrows, but given their smart transfer business in the off-season, their success should come as no surprise.

New striker Bradley Grobler has led the charge, finding the net nine times across all competitions so far. Although he was one of the unlucky players to miss out on a late Bafana Bafana call-up after Iqraam Rayners and Lyle Foster withdrew from the qualifiers, Tinkler will be counting on his prolific form to continue when they resume league action against Siwelele FC.

Sekhukhune’s momentum had slowed before the break, with back-to-back winless league games followed by a 3–1 defeat to Golden Arrows in the Round of 16 of the Carling Knockout. Having already missed out on the MTN8, Tinkler’s men will be eager to respond strongly as we approach the second half of the season.

The Nedbank Cup now remains their only competition outside of the league, and Babina Noko are determined to mount a stronger push for silverware and secure a top-three finish — with an outside chance of challenging for the league title. Their ambitions were made clear at the start of the campaign, and a return to continental football remains a top priority.

Sekhukhune last featured in the CAF Confederations Cup last year, where a 2–2 aggregate draw against Angolan side CD Lunda Sul proved insufficient to progress to the group stages.

For Tinkler, the immediate goal will be to ensure his team hits the ground running and puts recent setbacks behind them. With a less congested schedule than their title rivals, they have the opportunity to maintain steady pressure at the top of the table for the remainder of the season.

Their upcoming clash against Siwelele could provide the perfect platform to regain momentum. The Bloemfontein side has struggled with inconsistency this season, although they began to find some rhythm before the recent international break.

While Sekhukhune may have already missed out on two domestic trophies, there is still plenty to play for. Their early-season form has shown their potential, and with a rested, motivated squad, Babina Noko remain genuine contenders to finish among the frontrunners — and possibly achieve more than just a top-three finish.