Tembo pledges to renew ageing squad gradually

Mahlatsi and Webber examples of new additions

With the core of SuperSport United squad comprising of seasoned campaigners, Matsatsantsa coach Kaitano Tembo is planning to safeguard the club’s future by gradually introducing youngsters to his set-up.

SuperSport have continuously been showing faith in their veterans, who are on the wrong side of 30. The likes of Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 36, and Clayton Daniels, 34, have been important in the club’s recent success of winning domestic cups.

Tembo has indicated that the club’s budding stars such as the 20-year-old pair of Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Jamie Webber are very much in his plans.

“I do not want to rush the process. We are aware of their qualities but we cannot just throw them at the deep end. Mahlatsi has been in the bench in some of our matches this season, that shows he’s in our plans,” Tembo said.

“The team boasts experienced players but that must not blind us to prepare for the future. We are also monitoring our youngsters who are out on loan like [Khanyisa] Mayo [at Royal Eagles in the NFD]. You can see that even Sipho Mbule [another 20-year-old] has not played that much but we know his quality.”

Mahlatsi, a tricky winger, excelled during his loan stint at Ubuntu Cape Town last season, helping the Mother City-based side starve-off relegation. Central midfielder Webber joined SuperSport from NFD side Stellenbosch last June.

“These players have NFD experience and that’s an advantage for them because NFD is as competitive as the Absa Premiership, ” noted Tembo

Having just took over the reigns on a permanent basis at Matsatsantsa early last month, Tembo has since led SuperSport to the MTN8 final, where they will face Cape Town City at a yet-to-be-confirmed stadium on September 29.