The “chopping and changing” of South African football coaching staff has claimed another high-profile casualty. In a move that has caught many by surprise despite weeks of mounting tension, Sekhukhune United have officially parted ways with head coach Eric Tinkler. With the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season entering its most decisive phase, the club’s management has opted for internal stability, placing assistant coaches Paulus Masehe and Andre Arendse in joint charge of the first team.
The decision, finalized on Monday, April 13, 2026, marks a significant shift in strategy for Babina Noko. Rather than rushing to appoint a high-profile external successor, the club is trusting two of the most respected figures in its technical structure to navigate the final six games of the campaign.
The Departure of Eric Tinkler: A Victory That Wasn’t Enough
The timing of Tinkler’s exit is particularly striking. It comes just 24 hours after Sekhukhune United secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Magesi FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. While the three points provided a temporary reprieve on the log, it was evidently not enough to mend a fractured relationship between the coach and the board.
Before Sunday’s win, Tinkler had endured a grueling run of six matches without a victory. The low point of this stretch was undoubtedly the club’s elimination from the Nedbank Cup at the hands of lower-division side Milford FC. For a club with aspirations of continental football, falling to a Motsepe Foundation Championship side was seen as an inexcusable lapse in standard.
Despite currently sitting in 5th place with 38 points—just four points behind 3rd-placed Kaizer Chiefs—the management felt the team had lost its tactical identity. The ambition to improve on last season’s 4th-place finish (46 points) felt increasingly out of reach under the previous regime.
The New Guardians: Masehe and Arendse
In Paulus Masehe and Andre Arendse, Sekhukhune United have a “brain trust” that combines deep institutional knowledge with legendary experience.
Paulus Masehe: The Club Stalwart
Masehe is a man who knows the inner workings of Babina Noko better than almost anyone. After an illustrious playing career—primarily as the engine room of Free State Stars—Masehe transitioned seamlessly into coaching.
- He began his journey at Sekhukhune leading the DStv Diski Challenge (Reserve) side.
- His success with the youth earned him a promotion to the senior team as an assistant, first under Lehlohonolo Seema and later staying on to assist Tinkler.
- His appointment as interim head coach is seen as a reward for his loyalty and his tactical understanding of the current squad’s strengths.
Andre Arendse: The Veteran Influence
Assisting Masehe is a man who needs no introduction to South African football fans. Andre Arendse, a 1996 AFCON winner and a former Bafana Bafana captain, brings over 15 years of top-flight coaching experience.
- Having joined the club in November 2025, Arendse has already established himself as a calming influence in the dressing room.
- His recent track record includes guiding SuperSport United to safety during the turbulent 2024/25 season.
- His expertise in defensive organization and goalkeeping psychology will be vital as the team looks to tighten up a backline that has looked shaky under pressure.
The Task at Hand: The Race for the Top Three
The mandate for Masehe and Arendse is clear: Secure a top-three finish. With six matches remaining, the path is fraught with challenges. The interim duo will have no time for a “honeymoon period.” Their first assignment is a daunting trip to the Western Cape this Friday to face a high-flying Stellenbosch FC at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The Remaining Schedule for Sekhukhune United:
- Stellenbosch FC (Away): A tactical battle against Steve Barker’s disciplined side.
- Marumo Gallants (Home): A must-win encounter against a side fighting for survival.
- Chippa United (Away): A difficult trip to East London.
- Kaizer Chiefs (Home): The “Six-Pointer.” This match will likely determine who secures the final CAF inter-club qualification spot.
- Richards Bay (Away).
- Siwelele FC (Home).
Tactical Shift: What Will Change?
Insiders suggest that Masehe and Arendse may move away from the rigid structures favored by Tinkler in favor of a more “fluid and expressive” style of play. With the recent signing of Rivaldo Coetzee, who made his debut in the win against Magesi, the new coaching duo has the perfect “ball-playing” anchor to implement a more possession-based approach.
Furthermore, the appointment of Walter Steenbok as Director of Football Strategy just weeks ago suggests that the club is looking for a more integrated approach between the technical bench and the long-term vision of the board.
Conclusion: A Bold Internal Gamble
By choosing Masehe and Arendse, Sekhukhune United are betting that the answers to their problems lie within. The duo represents a blend of “old school” grit and modern tactical awareness.
