Eric Tinkler warns against complacency ahead of TS Galaxy showdown

ERIC TINKLER has been in the game long enough to know of the dangers of facing a wounded foe. It is for that reason that the coach of Sekhukhune United will be wary of getting carried away by his side’s fantastic start to the season.

Whereas the punters are sure to pencil his team in as outright favourites to win tonight’s Betway Premiership clash against TS Galaxy at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, local football’s most famous ginger is treading carefully.

Granted they are on a hat-trick having progressed into the MTN8 semi-finals as well as chalking up maximum points in their league opener. But those victories against the self-same Galaxy and the surprise success at Orlando Pirates will count for nothing tonight if his team take things for granted, he says.

“We’ve got a game (in three days’ time) and if we don’t win that one, then this result means nothing,” he said post their 1-0 win at Pirates. “It’s about building on that, don’t become complacent. So, obviously consistency in the performance becomes the key.”

He has seen enough from his team though to believe they are on the right track to achieving that consistency.

“The character the guys showed in the MTN8 came out again (against Pirates) and I think we are creating a very disciplined and well-cultured team. The work ethic both at training and in matches have to match what we are doing in training. Are we transferring it to the game? I am seeing that and it is a positive for me.”

That they beat Galaxy 3-2 having trailed 2-0 early on is a factor that should see them cock-a-hoop as they trot on to the pitch. But that’s no reason to think victory is a given.

“Yes we did well to come back in the game against Galaxy. But truth be told, Galaxy had six to seven players who were not registered. I think the team we are going to face on Wednesday is going to be a very different team to the one we faced in the MTN8.”

Galaxy are on the opposite end of the scale, the team owned by Tim Sukazi having been beaten twice already – the 2-3 loss at Sekhukhune and then their having been beaten 2-0 by rookies Durban City in the league opener. They will need to avoid losing three in a row and will look to build their confidence on the fact that they had led Sekhukhune 2-0 in that MTN8 clash.

It shapes up as a potentially thrilling encounter, with Galaxy eager to not only gain revenge but to chalk up maiden points and Sekhukhune intent on completing a hat-trick of victories plus show that their cup victory was no fluke.

In another match in the Limpopo capital tonight Magesi FC will welcome Stellenbosch FC to Seshego Stadium looking to build on their goalless draw with Polokwane City. Their opponents will be hard-pressed for victory as they seek to get off the mark in the championship following their 2-0 home defeat by Kaizer Chiefs. Steve Barker’s men also need to get a good result to lift their spirits ahead of the weekend MTN8 semi final clash against Sekhukhune.

Both of tonight’s matches kick off at 7.30pm.