Former Bafana Bafana shotstopper Andre Arendse is the new assistant coach of Sekhukhune United. Photo: Supplied

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Sekhukhune United FC has appointed former SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse as an assistant to head coach Eric Tinkler.

Tinkler and Arendse are former squad members of the celebrated 1996 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) winning team of Bafana Bafana, with Arendse as goalminder and Tickler as the defensive midfielder, and they will now join forces in the hope of bringing that glory to Babina Noko [dance of the porcupine], as Sekhukhune is fondly known to its avid fans, by way of winning the Betway Premiership in which it had a fantastic run in the opening games and stayed at the summit of the log for well over eight games.

The 58-year-old Arendse brings 15 years of coaching experience at the premiership level, having served in various capacities, including being goalkeeper coach, assistant coach, and interim head coach at the now defunct SuperSport United.

His most recent feat was guiding SuperSport United to safety from the relegation zone in the previous season before it sold its status to new boys on the block, Siwelele FC, just before the start of the current season.

Arendse holds both a Fifa Goalkeeper Coaching certificate and a Caf B Coaching Licence, reflecting his dedication to skilling himself in the technical development sphere.

Sekhukhune chairman Simon Malatji welcomed the appointment, saying: “Coaches Tinkler and Arendse know each other from their playing years and have not only crossed paths as coaching rivals, but lifted the 2017 MTN8 trophy together at Matsatsantsa A Pitori. They share a strong bond and rapport, and we are confident that it will translate positively in the team’s performance and results,” Malatji said.

As a player, Arendse enjoyed a long and illustrious career highlighted by 67 caps for Bafana Bafana and back-to-back league championship titles with SuperSport United.

He was also part of the squad that earned Fulham FC promotion to England’s First Division status. “Babina Noko extends a warm welcome to coach Arendse and wishes him a successful tenure with the club,” Malatji said.