Richards Bay coach Kaitano Tembo will face his former club SuperSport United when the season opens this coming weekend and says Gavin Hunt’s men have no excuse why they can’t challenge for the league title.
Tembo was appointed as Bay coach last month, having been sacked sometime last year by Sekhukhune United, who, just like Bay, appointed him before the season got underway.
However, unlike at Sekhukhune where he started the season against relegated Maritzburg United, this time he will be facing a tough test from SuperSport, who have made a true statement in the transfer market that they will try to go the distance in the league.
SuperSport signed Roland Pfumbidzai from Chippa United, Washington Arubi from Marumo Gallants, Phathu Nange from Kaizer Chiefs, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Terrence Dzvukamanja from Orlando Pirates, Siyanda Xulu from Azerbaijan side Turan Tovuz, Mohamed Hamza from Namungo FC, Grant Margeman from Mamelodi Sundowns and Etiosa Ignodaro from Sundowns on loan.
Having seen SuperSport go big in the transfer market after finishing third last season under the wily old coach Hunt on his return to the side, Tembo is convinced the three times league winners should not aim lower than challenging for the title in 2023/24.
“To be honest in this league, each and every game you play is very difficult,” Tembo, who was in charge of 136 matches at SuperSport, started when replying to the iDiski Times.
“It is not easy to get the three points, so SuperSport is no different. They have spent a lot of money now in the past two seasons and like you mentioned, they should be winning the league, I don’t think there is any excuse for that.
“They should be competing with teams like Sundowns, I don’t think there is any excuse. But at the same time we have to prepare ourselves properly so that we get positive results.”
Tembo, who spent most of his time at the Tshwane giants, was appointed on two-year contract by the club on 3 August 2018, having served a seven-month stint as caretaker coach.
The 53-year-old joined the club in 1999 as a player and was captain for four years during which time SuperSport won the SAA Supa 8 competition in 2004 and the Absa Cup in 2005.
Tembo is one of the highest capped players at the Tshwane giants, having played over 200 matches for Matsatsantsa.
Meanwhile, the new Bay coach added they are fully aware of Hunt’s style of player ahead of facing SuperSport clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night, saying the Tshwane giants, unlike Pirates and Sundowns, sporadically rely on “percent football”.
“For me the area of concern is creating chances and scoring them,” said Tembo.
“As well as defending long balls because we are playing against a team that relies heavily on crosses, set-plays.”
