Eric Tinkler eyes CAF Confederation Cup spot as Sekhukhune United move to third

The win moved Sekhukhune into third place on the league table, with goals from Samkele Sihlali and Chibuike Ohizu in the first half enough to seal the points, despite a late response from Cape Town City's Kayden Francis. The victory has given Tinkler confidence that his team can maintain their momentum in the race for continental competition.

"CAF qualification has always been a goal for me, whether I was at City or Maritzburg United (now Durban City)," Tinkler reflected after the match. "I want to compete on the continental stage because it offers not only players but coaches the chance to test themselves against the best. This has always been a target, and tonight, we saw an opportunity and seized it."

Tinkler urged his players to stay grounded, however, as the road to qualification remains long and full of challenges. While Sekhukhune now sit in third, the coach reminded his squad that a single setback could quickly shift their position in the table.

"One defeat, and you could find yourself back in fifth, so we need to stay focused," he said. "Our next target is to hit the 40-point mark to start creating a buffer between us and the chasing pack. There's a lot of football still to be played."

A key factor in Sekhukhune's rise up the table is the depth of their squad, with Tinkler praising the efforts of players who aren't regular starters. "What makes me happy is that the players who started today are not regulars, and the effort they put in shows we have squad depth. This is a team effort, and everyone is contributing," he added.

Meanwhile, Cape Town City's caretaker coach, Diogo Peral, has acknowledged the mental and physical challenges facing his side as they find themselves in a dangerous position on the league table. The loss to Sekhukhune leaves the Citizens struggling for form, with confidence among the players taking a hit after a run of poor results.

"We need to work on the players' confidence and raise our game physically and mentally," Peral said after the defeat. "It's tough when you haven't won in a while and the opposition capitalizes on a few good minutes. The last two games showed improvements, and the confidence is starting to come back, but we need to keep pushing."

As the battle for continental football heats up, Tinkler's Sekhukhune United will aim to keep their eyes on the prize while staying wary of the challenges ahead. With their position in the league looking promising, the next few weeks could prove pivotal in their quest for a CAF Confederation Cup spot.