The Buccaneers go into the CAF Confederations Cup semi-final second leg encounter against Al-Ahly with a slender 1-0 lead, with some suggesting a failure to reach the final could cost Tinkler his job.
Pirates have been struggling in the Absa Premiership – they are 11th on the log after five games and are already nine points behind early pacesetters Platinum Stars.
But Mkhalele, part of the Bucs side that won the 1995 African Cup, does not think the coach needs to prove himself to anyone.
“No, I do not think he is under any pressure at all,” he tells snl24.com/kickoff. “The team is doing well in the CAF competition and he must be given credit for taking them this far.
“People can say that the team is not doing well in the League, but we must also consider that this is a team that did not have a break because of their participation in the Confederations Cup.
“Under the circumstances, they have done very well and I think they have the ability to get a positive result in Egypt.”
Mkhalele feels Pirates’ defence will be crucial to their chances of reaching the final.
“It is important for the players, in my view, to be composed during the match. The defence must be water tight and the strikers must not waste any of the chances that will come their way.”