Wafa wafa title beckons Tembo

In the end a full campaign in charge is usually a far better place to judge, as Eric Tinkler proved last season, his Matsatsantsa side winning the MTN8 and reaching the Caf Confederation Cup final, before Tinkler was forced to step down in March with his side deep in relegation mire.

But it is certainly so far, so good for Kaitano Tembo.

It was a brave decision by SuperSport to give Tembo, who took over as caretaker when Tinkler left, the job on a permanent basis at the start of this season.

SuperSport had survived relegation under Tembo, and even sneaked into the top eight, even if it was basically via a courtroom. Still, it would still have been easy for Matsatsantsa CEO Stan Matthews to turn to a so-called “big-name coach”, with a major brand like SuperSport not wanting to go through the same peril they experienced in the early part of 2018.

Tembo lost his first game in permanent charge, at Cape Town City, but has lost just one more since, and a defeat at Orlando Pirates is hardly anything to be ashamed of. His side have reached another Wafa Wafa final while also keeping up appearances in the league, just two points off the top of the table.

Sunday’s 4-0 hammering of Black Leopards was particularly impressive a week ahead of a major final, testament to a side that, as Matthews says on the opposite page, is determined to do much better in the Premiership this season.

Tembo has done a fine job with his squad, especially with his strikers, getting the best out of the likes of Bradley Grobler, Evans Rusike and James Keene. Last season, SuperSport suffered badly from the loss of Jeremy Brockie in January.

Even if he wins the MTN8, however, Tembo must make sure he keeps his squad’s eyes focused on continuing their league form to Christmas and beyond.

This time, I can really see them challenging for the title, with no continental competition to provide a distraction.

I am sure the haunting memory of last season will also keep SuperSport determined, and Tembo is thus far proving another feather in the cap for an increasing amount of successful local coaches.

Pitso Mosimane has set the trend at Mamelodi Sundowns, while Tinkler did a fine job at City and in the early stages of his SuperSport reign.

Benni McCarthy has done well at City too, and we at Phakaaathi must just take a moment to wish his wife Stacey a speedy recovery after her recent operation.

Saturday’s MTN8 final between City and SuperSport, a repeat of last year, promises to be a cracker, with a winner as hard to call as last year, when SuperSport edged the match on penalties.
My personal feeling is that SuperSport will take it, with their extra experience giving them the edge on the day.

SuperSport have built a pretty busy trophy cabinet in recent years and I can see them adding some more silverware on Saturday. Tembo’s side are also in the better form, though City did do well to come back against Orlando Pirates last week and do have the players to cause Matsatsantsa’s defence serious trouble.

There may also be the extra motivation for the City players to do it it for their coach, after his tough time of late, and in cup finals form does tend to fly out of the window.

Before I convince myself to change my mind, however, I am going to punt for a SuperSport win at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, this time without the need for extra time or penalties – 2-1 to Matsatsantsa.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.