Kaitano Tembo fired by SuperSport, ending 23-year dance club

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – SuperSport United sacked their Zimbabwean coach Kaitano Tembo on Tuesday after four years as head coach and nearly two decades as player and assistant at the club.

Former South Africa goalkeeper Andre Arendse takes over on an interim basis for the final six games of the season.

SuperSport have won eight and lost nine of their 24 matches in the DSTV Premier League this season while drawing seven.

They currently lie eighth in the table – 26 points adrift of runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Their 3-2 defeat in the quarter finals of the Nedbank Cup to lower league TTM at the weekend appeared to be the final straw for the ambitious club.

CEO Stan Matthews and top executives met Tembo after the match and “reached a mutual agreement to part ways,” according to a club statement.

“Kaitano is the epitome of the dedicated club man,” Matthews said. “Very few players transition into coaching at the same club where they played. We want to thank Kaitano for the many years that he served SuperSport United in various capacities.

“It is never easy parting ways but as a true servant, Kaitano has always placed the interests of the club above that of individuals. We are grateful for the role he has played at the club both as a player and coach.”

Tembo served SuperSport for 23 years, first as a player in 1999 before moving into a coaching role, serving as an assistant to Gavin Hunt, Stuart Baxter and Eric Tinkler and then taking over as head coach in 2018.

During his time as coach, Tembo reached two MTN8 Cup finals, winning his maiden trophy against Highlands Park in 2019. -Zimlive