Kaitano Tembo named SuperSport assistant coach

FORMER Warriors vice captain and SuperSport United legend Kaitano "Kaizer" Tembo was officially unveiled as coach Gavin Hunt's assistant at the South African Premiership outfit last Thursday, marking a new milestone in his growing coaching profile.

Tembo was the rock on which Dynamos built a dominant spell on the domestic scene between 1992 and 1997 before the tough-tackling defender crossed the border into South Africa to begin a professional career with the now defunct Seven Stars before he moved to SuperSport United. The former Dynamos hardman was also a key member of Sunday Chidzambwa's team that secured Zimbabwe's maiden appearance at the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia.

And, just like most players, Tembo decided to venture into coaching when he hung up his boots after a largely successful stint with SuperSport United and the club repaid the service he gave them by investing in his coaching career which started with the juniors.

Tembo replaced the long-serving assistant and former midfielder Thomas Madigage who left SuperSport to become the new assistant to Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund.

His first assignment was the pre-season Gauteng Invitational tournament, which also featured Bidvest Wits, Moroka Swallows and eventual winners Kaizer Chiefs.

Tembo, who coached the SuperSport Tottenham Hotspur Under-19 team, has been working closely with both Hunt and Madigage as a link between the first team and the Reserve side.

Before joining the Tshwane-based-outfit, Tembo was on the books of Seven Stars following his move from Dynamos.

Interestingly Tembo played under the guidance of Hunt at Stars with the club's other coaches being Geoff Butler and Bruce Grobbelaar in 1998.

He played for one season and served as the captain of the team.

But it his latest appointment, which Tembo also believes will serve as an inspiration to the young players he has been working with as well the other upcoming coaches in the club's structures.

Tembo also told the SuperpSport United website he felt the appointment had also come as a surprise.

"It came as a surprise to me. This is an opportunity that any coach can have because I worked in the development structures of our club.

"It really comes with a lot of challenges looking at what Thomas has achieved in this team and I wished him the best of luck.

"It is also a learning curve at the same time but I'm ready for the big challenge. I would like to thank Gavin Hunt, our chairman and the board of directors for giving me this opportunity," said Tembo.

Tembo played a significant role when SuperSport won the inaugural Gauteng Monday League last season.

He guided the Under-19 players such as Gino Moeketsi, Snethemba Ngidi and Cebo Meyiwa, who formed part of the first team players that won the Reserve League.

"This will certainly inspire my colleagues and players at our Academy as well. I came from our development ranks and I think this was an investment for the team.

"Seeing me coming from those ranks I think they can work even harder to get to where I am".

"Kaizer," as Tembo is affectionately called by his colleagues, went on to join SuperSport in 1999 and was coached by Roy Matthews, Bruce Grobbelaar and former Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.

He retired from professional football in 2006 where he won Cup tournaments and finished twice runners-up in the league under the mentorship of Mosimane.

Career highlights as a player:

2005-2006: SAA Supa8 Cup runners-up and Coca-Cola Cup runners-up
2004-2005: Won the SAA Supa8 Cup and Absa Cup, Coca-Cola Cup runners-up
2002-2003: Finished second in the league with SuperSport United
2001-2002: Finished second in the league with SuperSport United
1998-1999: Seven Stars – finished on position five 1992-1997: Won four league titles and Cup tournaments with Dynamos

Career highlights as a coach:
2007 - Completed Coaching Licence in Holland (KNVB)
2009 - Completed Level One and Two Coaching Courses with SAFA 2012
Currently pursuing Level Three Coaching Course

Honours as a coach:
2008: Won the Under-17 Engen Cup
2010: Won the Under 17 Lagos International Cup

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