Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler has reminded his players of football fundamentals after their late defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Babina Noko were hoping to cause a rare upset after levelling matters through Bradley Grobler but substitutes Monnapule Saleng and Iqraam Rayners combined well as Masandawana raced to a 3-1 win at Loftus Versfeld.
Tinkler’s charges thus failed to narrow the gap on Sundowns and remain in third spot with 32 points from 19 matches.
The former Cape Town City mentor expressed his dissatisfaction on how the players did not follow through despite their half-time team talk.
“The quality that you come up against, the mistakes you make, they are gonna cost you and the last two goals were conceded on our mistakes,” he said on SuperSport TV.
“I spoke about it at half-time. Our pressing was good we won the ball, but we lose it cheaply and against a team like Mamelodi Sundowns, you gonna get hurt because of the quality they possess.
“We end up conceding the third goal because you don’t put in the cross. Those are the fundamentals of the game.
“You in the final minutes, you in the final stages. We throwing numbers upfront. One you try and take your free-kick short, get it in the box. Ball’s out wide, get it out of your feet, get it in the box.
“These are lessons the players must learn. It cannot always come from the coach. You gotta be able to see it with your own eyes these moments.
“And the management of the game. Time’s up. Get the ball in the box you got a striker who’s lethal [Grobler] he can score with his head.
“So, silly mistakes at the end of the day. Best team won today in my opinion.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
