Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler has brushed off notions that they underestimated Milford FC in their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal tie.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship side punished the Betway Premiership outfit for wasting chances, dragging the game into extra time and penalties at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Milford had scored first with Babina Noko responding late and their goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza being the star of the shootout saving two kicks as his side won the game 3-2 after a 2-all draw in 120.minutes.
Tinkler cut a sad figure at the post match press conference where he had nothing but praise for his charges despite the elimination.
“No, not at all,” said Tinkler.
“Like I said our team performed exceptionally well. We were by far the best team. We created the most chances.
“Majority of the game they spent defending. So, I don’t think we underestimated them. Other factors.
“I think we all knew that this was not going to be an easy match against Milford. It doesn’t matter whether they are a division lower or not. You always got to raise your level and play to a higher level, and I thought we did that today.
“As a coach I don’t just judge my team on wins and losses. I judge them on performance and today our performance was exceptional, very good.”
One of Tinkler’s targets this season is to qualify for a CAF inter club competition and with the Nedbank Cup gone, the Limpopo side will be under pressure to finish in the top three.
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