Kaitano Tembo has been fired by South African premiership side Richards Bay Football Club on Christmas Day.
Tembo was sacked after a poor run at the club which saw him winning only four matches out of eighteen. He drew four games and lost ten during his 18-match tenure.
The KwaZulu-Natal-based club is currently occupying the 15th position with a modest tally of 10 points from 15 games.
The Zimbabwean was appointed Richards Bay ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The club has named Vusimuzi Vilakazi as the head coach interim basis until further notice. Read a club statement:
<blockquote>
Richards Bay Football Club would like to announce the release of the Head Coach Mr. Kaitano Tembo with immediate effect.
The Club would like to thank the coach for his contribution during this season. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Senior Coach Mr. Vusi Vilakazi will take over the first team until further notice.
</blockquote>
Before taking the reigns at Richards Bay, Tembo coached SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United.
His sacking comes a few days after another Zimbabwe coach, Taurai Mangwiro, was fired by a foreign club.
Mangwiro was recently fired by Botswana side Orapa United after a poor start to the 2023/2024 Batswana Premier League season.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Kaitano Tembo Fired By South African Top-flight Club On Christmas Day

Kaitano Tembo has been appointed as the head coach of DStv Premiership club Richards Bay FC ahead of the 2023/2024 season.
The KwaZulu-Natal side announced Tembo’s appointment as head coach on Thursday night. A club statement reads:
<blockquote>
Richards Bay Football Club would like to confirm the appointment of Kaitano Tembo as the new Head Coach.
Kaitano Tembo is a familiar face in South African Football, he has been in DStv Premiership with the likes of Supersport United Football Club and Sikhukhune United Football Club respectively.
We welcome the coach and wish him all the best.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwean was sacked by SuperSport United in April 2022 after a 23-year association with the club.
Tembo had held several roles at SuperSport, from player, youth coach, and assistant manager to head coach.
He then had a short stint with Sekhukhune United at the beginning of the 2022/23 season but was let go after just 12 games.
He had been out of work since parting ways with Sekhukhune United in November last year.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kaitano Tembo Appointed Head Coach At Top South African Club

DStv premiership club Sekhukhune United Football Club on Tuesday, 01 November sacked coach Kaitano Tembo with immediate effect.
Club CEO Jonas Malatji said they made the decision following a string of poor results. He said:
<blockquote>
I wish to thank Coach Kaitano for his dedication and hard work while at the Club.
Ever the Professional that he is, and with his impeccable work ethic, the decision to part ways was an extremely difficult one.
Sport in general and football in particular is result driven, and this remains true for the club that find itself in a very precarious position in the DSTV Premiership.
</blockquote>
The 52-year-old Zimbabwean joined Babina Noko in June but won only two of their 12 league games.
Tembo thanked The Chairman and Board for having given him an opportunity at the club. He said:
<blockquote>
I wish to thank the players for their dedication, and the support of the Technical Team and Support Staff, and wish the Club and its supporters the very best.
</blockquote>

Sekhukhune United Axe Coach Kaitano Tembo

Former DStv Premiership side head coach Kaitano Tembo has been confirmed new Sekhukhune United head coach.
In a statement, Sekhukhune United said Tembo will take over from McDonald Makhubedu following the latter’s appointment as senior coach. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Sekhukhune United Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Kaitano Tembo to the Technical Team of Sekhukhune United FC.
The former Supersport United FC Head Coach will be working as a Head Coach for Babina Noko.
Mr Tembo takes over the Head Coach position of the team following the appointment of Mr McDonald Makhubedu as the Senior Coach.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Kaitano Tembo Appointed Sekhukhune United Head Coach

Former SuperSport United (SSU) head coach Kaitano Tembo has expressed gratitude to the club for affording him personal and professional growth and development during the 23 years he was at the Pretoria-based side.
The former Dynamos and Warriors defender was recently fired by SSU following a string of poor results.
He played for the club for several years, and when he hung up his boots, he worked in coaching roles, beginning in the youth structures and later transitioning into senior coaching roles. Added Tembo:
<blockquote>
My appointment as Head Coach of SuperSport United, one of the leading football clubs in South Africa, was and remains something of which I will always be extremely proud.
My coaching staff and the players have all worked incredibly hard over the last four seasons and I value their commitment and loyalty.
I would like to extend my gratitude to not only them, but also to the fans, and everyone connected to the club and the wider community of SuperSport United.
I remain proud to have overseen the MTN8 Cup victory in 2019 whilst leading the club as best as I possibly could both locally and in continental competitions.
I also took great fulfilment in developing and promoting youth and watching them flourish at the senior level.
</blockquote>
Tembo admitted that recent performances and results have not been what the club’s fans would expect, saying he understood and shared their frustration. Said Tembo:
<blockquote>
I am eternally grateful to the Chairman, the Board, and CEO, Stan Matthews for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage this fantastic Club.
I leave this organisation, a better coach, a better person, and feel prepared for the next chapter in my career.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

I Feel Prepared For The Next Chapter In My Career, Says Kaitano Tembo

Former Warriors and Dynamos defender Kaitano Tembo has expressed his disappointment following his sacking by SuperSport United (SSU) earlier this week after a string of poor results.
Speaking to TimesLive, Tembo said SSU has a bright future as it has promoted several “exciting” young players to the first team.
The Zimbabwean thanked the club’s leadership for looking after him well for more than 20 years at the club, first as a player and then as a coach. Tembo said:
<blockquote>
As much as I am disappointed, when you look back over the years I can’t lose sight of the fact that the club looked after me very well.
The club spent so much time on me, they have looked after me very well all these years and they have played a huge role in my life as a human being and career as a player and coach.
I appreciate the role they played in my life and I leave a better person than I was when I arrived more than 20 years ago. There are no hard feelings towards anyone at the club.
Actually, I take this opportunity to thank the chairman Khulu Sibiya who has always been there for me since I was a player. He has been very supportive of me.
I would also like to thank the club’s board and CEO Stan Matthews who has been like a mentor to me.
I can only say good things about these people including the rest of the staff, technical team, players and supporters.
They have been there for me, they have given me all the support and because of these things, there are a lot of good things that I can say about the club.
This is not something that I can take to heart and say the club did this or that to me.
</blockquote>
Tembo spent 23 years at the DStv premiership club, first as a player, and later as an assistant coach to Gavin Hunt, Stuart Baxter and Eric Tinkler before taking over as head coach in 2018.
The club decided to part ways with the Zimbabwean following a run of 11 points from their last 11 games.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2022-04-14-no-hard-feelings-says-disappointed-kaitano-tembo-as-he-breaks-silence-after-departure-from-supersport/">TimesLive</a></h4>

"Disappointed" Kaitano Tembo Breaks Silence After Departure From SuperSport

Former Warriors defender Kaitano Tembo has been relieved of his duties as head coach by DStv premiership club Supersport United.
The Zimbabwean will leave with immediate effect and his assistant Andre Arendse takes over until the end of the 2021/22 season. A statement released by Supersport United Football club read:
<blockquote>
SuperSport United and Head Coach Kaitano Tembo have reached a mutual agreement to part ways, with Assistant Coach Andre Arendse appointed to the position for the remainder of the current PSL season.
Tembo has served the club 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.
Tembo has been a loyal servant of the club and was instrumental in drafting young players from the club’s academy system into the first team squad.
</blockquote>
SSU chief executive officer Stan Matthews thanked Tembo for the role he played at the club first as a player and later as a coach. Said, Matthews:
<blockquote>
Kaitano is the epitome of the dedicated club man. 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.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

SuperSport United Sack Kaitano Tembo

DStv Premier League club Supersport United has laid to rest speculation around head coach Kaitano Tembo’s immediate future at the club following reports that the Zimbabwean’s job is not safe after a poor run of form.
Supersport chief executive office Stan Matthews said they are happy with the work Tembo is doing especially developing youngsters and rumours of his possible sacking are being propagated by people who intend to destabilise the club. Matthews said:
<blockquote>Even though we’ve had a very bad run recently, Kaitano has done an excellent job of transitioning a team that plays more players under the age of 24 than any other club in the PSL.
Kaitano has invested a significant amount of game time into our younger players, as we did with Ronwen at age 19, Tebza (Teboho Mokoena), (Luke) Fleurs and (Sipho) Mbule at age 18, and others.
This will pay off for us as a club next season and beyond. So, while we are obviously disappointed with the way we’ve slipped out of contention (for the league title) after an excellent start, we also see a tremendous amount of progress in the club as a whole.
Kaitano needs to be commended for having the courage to give young players a chance, which we all know mostly leads to a sacrifice of short-term points while they pay their PSL school fees.
We clearly have not shown the depth to sail smoothly through the injury storm we have had since February, especially losing Bradley (Grobler) and (Thamsanqa) Gabuza at the same time.
I don’t know why some of the media wants to try to place pressure on Kaitano, when the facts now are that, we cannot win the league and we also cannot be relegated.
We have consciously decided to give some of the younger players game time, as well as assess who will and won’t be part of our set up come the new season.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/premiership/supersport-united-ceo-stan-matthews-defends-kaitano-tembo-amid-sacking-murmurs/698404" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Kick Off</a></h4>

Kaitano Tembo Should Be Commended, Says Supersport Boss

Absa Premiership side Supersport United has offered Zimbabwean coach Kaitano Tembo a new three-year-deal but he says he is not in a hurry to sign it.
Tembo says he is focused on finishing the season strongly first before signing the contract. He said:
<blockquote>The moment you make it about you, the team will fail to reach its objectives. For me, the players and team come first. We still have a season to complete and my focus is there now, not on the new deal.</blockquote>
The 49-year-old’s current two-year contract expires next week, with the season yet to restart following the coronavirus-induced suspension.
Meanwhile, Matsatsantsa a Pitori occupy third place on the log table, with 40 points from 24 matches.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailysun.co.za/Sport/team-comes-first-20200625" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daily Sun</a></h4>

Kaitano Tembo Offered 3-year-deal At Supersport

Supersport coach <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kaitano_Tembo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kaitano Tembo</a> is not giving up on the title yet, despite losing 1-0 to Golden Arrows on Saturday and falling 11 points behind Kaizer Chiefs having played two matches more.
Matsatsantsa were at one point among the front-runners to challenge Chiefs but are now fourth after dropping six points in their last three matches. Said Tembo:
<blockquote>Well, this loss means three points dropped, that’s the sad part, but we’ve got to put this game behind us and concentrate on the next one.
That’s very important for us. We can’t dwell too much on this game, it’s gone. We look to the next game.</blockquote>
Supersport play Mamelodi Sundowns in a Tswane derby in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/german-bundesliga/kaitano-tembo-still-has-hope-for-supersport-united-title-challenge/672434" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kick Off.com</a></h4>

Kaitano Tembo Not Giving Up On Title Challenge

Kaizer Chiefs Football Club has issued a statement explaining why Khama Billiat was left out of the team that lost 2-1 to Kaitano Tembo’s SuperSport United. The statement read:
<blockquote>Attacking midfielder Khama Billiat aggravated his right hamstring injury during the Maritzburg match on 22 December. He had a scan which showed a small area of inflammation. He is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. He is expected to be out of action for approximately three weeks.</blockquote>
The Zimbabwean forward has so far missed five ABSAS Premiership matches and the current injury comes during the Glamour Boys’ crucial month.
Kaizer Chiefs is currently on top of the ABSA Premiership log but are only leading by four points following its defeat at the hands of Supersport United.
More: <a href="https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/local/categories/kaizer-chiefs/khama-billiat-was-again-missing-for-kaizer-chiefs/670461">Soccer Laduma</a>

Khama Billiat's Absence From Kaizer Chiefs Match And Bench Explained

SuperSport United head coach <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kaitano_Tembo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kaitano Tembo</a> said the substitution of Sipho Mbule at half-time in the 2-1 win over Absa Premiership pacesetters, Kaizer Chiefs, was a tactical decision.
Supersport was leading 1-0 at the break when the Zimbabwean hauled off Mbule for Thamsanqa Gabuza who went on to score the winning goal. Said Tembo about the change:
<blockquote>It was a tactical decision. We had to bring in Gabuza. We knew that we will always have Gabuza in the bag pocket that’s why he was on the bench so that he can change the dimension of our attack.</blockquote>
SuperSport drew first blood in the night minute through Bradley Grobler’s header from close range. Daniel Cardoso then stepped up and beat his Bafana Bafana teammate Ronwen Williams from the spot-kick to make it 1-1 in the 48th minute.
Matsatsantsa, however, was not to be denied victory, with Gabuza turning home <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kudakwashe_Mahachi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kudakwashe Mahachi’s</a> cross to make it 2-1 in the 62nd minute.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/local/categories/south-africa/kaitano-tembo-explains-why-sipho-mbule-was-taken-off-against-kaizer-chiefs/670434" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Soccer Laduma</a>, <a href="https://supersport.com/football/absa-premiership/news/200104_Courageous_SuperSport_humble_Chiefs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SuperSport</a></h4>

Kaitano Tembo Explains 'Tactical Change' In Win Over Kaizer Chiefs

Chippa United coach <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Norman_Mapeza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norman Mapeza</a> outwitted his compatriot at Supersport United, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kaitano_Tembo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kaitano Tembo</a>, during an Absa Premier League match played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening.
The Chilli Boys won 1-0 through a Xolani Mahola goal in the 42nd minute.
The win takes Mapeza’s side to ninth place on the log standings, having now kept five clean sheets in a row.
Meanwhile, the defeat leaves SuperSport in third, 10 points behind league leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
When Mapeza took over at Chippa, the club had not won a single match in over five games and was languishing at the foot of the table, with relegation looking certain.
<h4>More:<a href="https://supersport.com/football/absa-premiership/news/191221_Chippa_beat_SuperSport_to_continue_hot_streak" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> SuperSport</a></h4>

Mapeza Overcomes Tembo In Battle Of Zimbabwean Coaches In SA

Supersport United coach Kaitano Tembo is convinced that his team is rediscovering its form after beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 on Wednesday.
Supersport’s win over the Soweto giants 
and reigning ABSA Premier League champions is the third in a row.
Speaking on SuperSport TV after the win, Tembo said :
<blockquote>This is the SuperSport I know. This is the SuperSport that started the season, and we had lost it a little bit. We fight, we’re difficult to beat when we play this way. I’m happy we are getting that back.</blockquote>
Tembo added that his charges have to guard against complacency in their upcoming matches. He said:
<blockquote>Now we can focus on Baroka, try to calm down the guys a little bit because there’s still a long way. We certainly need to focus on our game, recuperate and make sure we’re ready for Saturday.</blockquote>
Supersport United is currently perched at fourth place with 32 points, trailing log leaders Bidvest Wits by 5 points.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.soccer24.co.zw/2019/02/21/tembo-convinced-team-form/">Soccer24.com</a></h4>

Kaitano Tembo Latest News

Latest Jobs