Why Hunt believes Sekhukhune’s coaching change makes them more dangerous

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has admitted he is expecting a revitalised Sekhukhune United side under a new interim technical team following Eric Tinkler’s exit when the two teams clash in a Betway Premiership encounter at Athlone Stadium on Friday night.

The Betway Premiership clash between the Cape Winelands-based club and Babina Noko will kick off at 19:30 CAT.

Coach Tinkler was shown the exit door together with his assistant Mark van Heerden earlier this week. In their absence, the Limpopo side has handed the reins to Paulus Masehe on an interim basis.
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The former Free State Stars man, Masehe, will be assisted by legendary former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Andre Arendse.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s league showdown, Hunt highlighted the unpredictable nature of facing a team that has just made coaching changes. The veteran mentor noted that such transitions often change a player’s mindset.

It’s matchday 🤩

🆚 @SekhukhuneFC
🏆 #BetwayPrem
🏟️ Athlone Stadium
📆 Friday, 17 April 2026
🕞 19h30
📺 @SSFootball (PSL 202)
🎫 @webticketsSA
🛒 https://t.co/tbHLemnLCI #HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/6bpQ6VEVRM

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 17, 2026

Hunt cautious of Sekhukhune’s interim technical team

“Sekhukhune United have just changed their coach, and that’s always dangerous. When you play against a team that has just changed their coach, what’s their reaction and the reactions of the players going to be like? We are going to have to be up for it,” said Hunt.

“They are a very experienced side and have a lot of options, so it certainly won’t be easy. They’re obviously looking at their own course, and we’ll be looking at what we’re trying to do. It changes things for them, because they will most probably have people who haven’t played and were unhappy, who will now be happy, and people who were playing [who will now be unhappy]. There will always be a reaction, though.

“If you study it, when coaches leave, there will always be an upturn for around five games, and then things go back to normal again, and that happens all around the world on average.

“You never know, but it will certainly be a new energy and vibe, even though there are still a lot of the same coaching staff, but we’ve got to be careful. We played Magesi after they changed their coach, and they were unbelievable, but now they are back to normal again, and that’s what happens.”

Stellenbosch currently occupy ninth position on the Betway Premiership table, having collected 28 points from 23 matches. Meanwhile, Sekhukhune United sit higher up in fifth place, with 38 points after 24 games