Lakay, Phala conundrum at SuperSport United

This adds to mounting speculation surrounding their futures at the club as both players are linked with moves away from the capital city. The attacking duo have just begun the last six months of their contracts.

However, Tembo downplayed the situation, going for a more diplomatic account.

“The club will make a statement if there are any changes but as far as I am concerned they are still SuperSport players until proved otherwise. They are still our players until something otherwise is said about them,” said the United mentor.

READ: Phala linked with Pirates as SuperSport exit looms

Phala, in particular, seems to have fallen out of Tembo’s favour and that was evident when the 48-year-old coach was cagey in his response to a question about what he makes of Phala’s contribution to the club.

“Like any other player, he has played in bits and pieces because there are other youngsters coming up like Jamie Webber and Kamohelo Mahlatsi, so the competition is always going to be tough and we treat each and every player equally because they all deserve to get an opportunity.”

Tembo might also lose Evans Rusike, not in the transfer window but through injury, as he was stretchered off against City.

“There has been a bit of a concern because we might have lost Evans and he might be out for two to three weeks and that has been our season so far,” said Tembo.

Nonetheless, the overall picture at the club does not look all that gloomy as United anticipate the return of club skipper Dean Furman and influential winger Thabo Mnyamane.

“We are looking to get Dean and Thabo back in the coming weeks but obviously they have not played much football and that will now speak to their match fitness. We will have to try to blend them in gradually and not rush them back because we need them. Dean is our captain, he is the backbone of the team and we also need to give credit to the guys who have been playing.”

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