Tinkler won't dwell on Erasmus's departure

Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler said the time for dwelling over Kermit Erasmus's mystery departure from the club was over and the club must move on with the players it had left.

Speaking after a one-all draw against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby in a week in which his preparations had been rocked by news that Erasmus had signed with French Ligue 1 club Rennes, Tinkler said it was time to look at the next players in line.

Chiefs dominated the first half of the Absa Premiership fixture at FNB Stadium and took the lead through Willard Katsande's 25th-minute opener. Thamsanqa Gabuza equalised for a forceful Pirates in the second half.

"I don't want to dwell on the situation with Kermit," Tinkler said. "Obviously he was an important member of our squad but things change, time moves on. He's gone to Europe and we wish him all the best and hope he represents our country very well.

"He left for what, according to me, was a family emergency because of his wife, in Holland. So it did come as a surprise.

"We move on and focus on the players we have, who need to step up. Lehlohonolo Majoro, today [against Chiefs] had stages where he did well. But that will come. He needs to play - we know his capabilities.

"And obviously it's opened the door for guys like Tendai Ndoro and a youngster like Letsie Koapeng. They must step up and show they're ready.

"Personally I'd like to see us finish better than we did last season, which is fourth, and we still have that possibility."

Bucs next meet Ajax Cape Town at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday and Pretoria University at Tuks Stadium on Saturday.