Kaitano Tembo upbeat

Supersport United coach Kaitano Tembo insists there is still much to play for this season following an early exit from the Nedbank Cup‚ but is worried about the depth of his squad in the second half of the Premiership campaign.

SuperSport were brushed aside 2-0 by Cape Town City in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 on Saturday‚ with Tembo pointing to lack of depth on the bench as one of the team’s problems in this fixture in which they always looked second-best.

“If I look at my bench‚ I’ve got Kamo (Kamohelo Mahlatsi)‚ who has been playing in the MDC (MultiChoice Diski Challenge‚ and Kagiso (Malinga)‚ who was playing in the ABC Motsepe League. We lack depth‚” Tembo said.

It is a situation not helped by the continued self-imposed absence of veteran winger Thuso Phala and what looks like a likely move for Fagrie Lakay to Bidvest Wits.

“We want to (sign players)‚ but it is difficult. I must try and work with what I have. Players are going out, but no players are coming in. I must try and get the best out of the players we have‚” said Tembo.

“The club will make a statement about (want-away star) Thuso Phala. At the moment, I have no idea what is going on.”

He was also worried about the lack of “fight” among his players against City.

“It is disappointing‚ but to be honest we didn’t deserve to go through. City dominated the game and got into good areas. We created a few chances on transition that we did not take (our chances). Aubrey (Modiba) was one-on-one with the goalkeeper‚ as well as Bradley (Grobler).

“But in terms of their overall performance‚ I think they wanted it more than us. We did not come here to fight‚ because if you come to a place like this‚ where they have a very good home record‚ you need to fight for a result.”

SuperSport trail league leaders Bidvest Wits by eight points‚ although perhaps more pertinently they are five points behind Mamelodi Sundowns, having played three games more.

It would take a run of extraordinary proportions for Matsatsantsa to mount a title challenge‚ but Tembo insists they must push on to finish as high in the league as possible, perhaps for his own job security.

“We want to finish in a respectable position. We still have 12 games to go‚ which is 36 points. These are a lot of points. We need to try and change our mindset and focus on the league.”

Four of SuperSport’s next six games are at home. They are next in action on February 10 when they travel to Lamontville Golden Arrows.

— BusinessLive