adminIT’S been a dream start for Kaitano Tembo.
The Zimbabwean coach has just guided his new club, Sekhukhune United, to a strong start in the South African Premiership.
They got their campaign underway with a 1-1 away draw at Maritzburg United before a 1-0 home win over Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
The defeated Arrows team fielded Divine Lunga in their starting XI before introducing Knox Mutizwa, after the break.
Kaitano’s men are on four points, the same as second-placed Richards Bay, Amazulu, Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy.
After spending more than 20 years at SuperSport United as a player and later as a coach, Kaitano is in a completely new environment.
The club are targeting a place among the top eight clubs.
“We started very well this season in terms of preparations and I think the team is ready. We have assembled a very good team.
“We want to see ourselves finishing in the top eight position, that’s the mandate in fact from our chairman and the CEO, the Malatjie brothers.
“And, I think that we’ve got the capacity to deliver on that mandate,” says Phineas Madisha, Sekhukhune United football manager.
They released 14 players and signed a total of 16 new players.
Kaitano added:
“Look, it is achievable because if I look back, I think last season we were probably seven points just below the top eight so the challenge is to try and bridge that gap but we need to take it one game at a time, that’s very important and we have a team that will be able to achieve that.
“That’s key as well. I’m happy with what I have at the moment, a balanced team,” he said.
Bafana Bafana forward, Victor Letsoalo is one of the new signings for Sekhukhune.
The team have also recruited former Orlando Pirates players, Linda Mntambo and Tshegofatso Mabasa as well as Daniel Cardoso from Kaizer Chiefs. – Sports Reporter/Reuters
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter