Sekhukhune United missed the opportunity to tighten their grip on third place after a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy on Sunday, leaving their chase for continental football out of their hands.
The road ahead grows even steeper for Eric Tinkler and Co, who, with little time to dwell on the result, must quickly regroup for their next challenge against Orlando Pirates this coming Wednesday at the Orlando Stadium (7.30pm kick-off).
Chibuike Ohizu gave Sekhukhune the lead in the 65th minute, but with one of the league’s worst defensive records, their advantage was short-lived. Galaxy responded just five minutes later through Kamogelo Sebelebele, and both teams were forced to settle for a point.
The result has all but ended Galaxy’s pursuit of a Top 3 finish. Sekhukhune held onto their seven-point advantage over the Rockets and still have a two-match advantage in hand. However, they remain just three points ahead of fourth-placed Stellenbosch FC, who also have a game in hand over the Limpopo-based outfit.
With Stellies’ elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup following a 1-0 aggregate loss to Simba FC on Sunday, the battle for the top three intensifies, as continental qualification is now the primary prize for these two sides.
Tinkler believed his team was well-positioned to win but pointed to a poor first-half performance as one of the main reasons for the dropped points.
“We saw it in the first half,” said Tinkler. “Guys were panicking in the build-up, giving the ball away cheaply, and our first-half performance was not great.
“We didn’t show any composure on the ball and we panicked every single time, and we got caught from a long ball from the keeper. Primarily, that was the only opportunity they created, so at half-time I was not entirely happy.”
Kamogelo Sebelebele did the job and took home another trophy.🔥🚀@aQuelle @aQuelleViV#Siyadumuza#TheRockets#TSG pic.twitter.com/niTNZOlnzS
— TS Galaxy FC (@TSGALAXYFC) April 28, 2025
After their C AF Confederation Cup exit last season, where they were knocked out by Angolan side Lunda Sul (2-2, lost on away goals), Sekhukhune now face a crucial race for qualification alongside Stellies, and Tinkler feels they missed a golden opportunity against Galaxy.
“Of all the games we still have, this was the easier one, and for me three points were extremely important today because the other games are not going to be easy. The next one is Pirates away and Magesi FC is also away.
“These are not easy games and you want to make sure that you collect maximum points when the opportunity arises. After they lost their last match, this was an opportunity for us to ensure we collect maximum points — and we let it slip today.”
Galaxy were forced to step away from their familiar Mbombela Stadium, which is currently occupied by other events. Their next fixture against Richards Bay FC will also be held at the Lucas Moripe Stadium this weekend.
Tinkler voiced his concerns about the state of the Dobsonville Stadium pitch, which he felt hindered his side’s ability to play their natural style of football.
“Honestly, this pitch, it was not great conditions,” he said.
“There was a DDC (DStv Diski Challenge) game here yesterday, and it obviously damaged it and it wasn’t repaired. For us to come and play the brand of football that we want was difficult.
“We responded positively — not brilliantly — in the second half, and then you work hard to get that goal, a beautifully worked goal, and then you give it away. At the end of the day, taking a point is at least something, but I would have preferred the three.”
