United are ahead of the game – Tembo
SUPERSPORT United’s bravery of introducing youngsters to topflight football this season may pay dividends next term as most clubs are bound to struggle in the next transfer market amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This was the view of coach Kaitano Tembo, who assembled his squad around the club’s academy graduates and a couple of experienced campaigners – a combination that won the MTN8 title for the Tshwane-based side.
“If you look (in the Absa Premiership), we are the only team that has been consistently giving young players game-time in the past two seasons. For me, that’s progress,” said Tembo, who cut his coaching teeth at the club’s academy.
With the pandemic Coronavirus having financially tainted some corporate businesses, some clubs in the PSL have been forced to consider pay cuts, as they can’t afford to pay full salaries – as sponsors have had to temporarily close down businesses.
For those clubs, this was an initial step to bigger problems to come, especially with the off-season transfer window around the corner, as it will be hard for them to make additions, while they’ll be forced to trim down their squads.
And, sure, SuperSport may have a better financial muscle – compared to some financially beleaguered clubs – but Tembo says their gamble to integrate youngsters into the first team this season has already been a bonus heading to the 2020/21 term.
“We know that we are going to face difficult times with the Covid19, there won’t be money to buy players. But that means we are already a step ahead, because we’ve got young players that are already playing Premier League football.”
Such has been the prominence of some of the young blue and white soldiers that before the Coronavirus brought the season to a complete halt, they were tipped to be in the running for some of the top gongs at the PSL awards.
Sipho Mbule, 22, has dished out an outing that has set him on par with the Young Premiership Player of the Season challengers, while Teboho Mokoena’s consistency could see him bag the Midfielder of the Season accolade.
It was Mbule and Mokoena’s combination that ensured SuperSport’s forwards had enough supplies when they won the most rewarding domestic competition of the season in October.
The Bethlehem-born duo may have made the headlines for the seamless teamwork on and off the field, but those informed will tell you it was Dean Furman’s leadership in the midfield and behind the scenes that helped the union blossom.
“It’s not easy when you lose someone like Dean. He was very important for us. But at the same time, I think we need to move forward. And for us to do that, we need to believe in what we have – the youngsters that were groomed by Dean,” Tembo said.
Jamie Webber, 22, Luke Fleurs,
20, Jesse Donn, 21, are some of the young talent that have contributed to SuperSport’s chase for an African continental qualifying finish this season as they are third on the log standings.