Kaitano Tembo Biography | Age, Club Career, International Career, Coaching Career
This is the biography of Kaitano Tembo, a retired Zimbabwean football defender and an experienced coach, currently serving as the senior coach for Sekhukhune United.
Age
Kaitano Tembo was born on July 22, 1970.
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Club Career
Tembo began his football career with Super Beef, a Division Two side, before joining Dynamos Football Club. Between 1992 and 1997, he enjoyed a successful tenure with Dynamos, winning four league titles.
In 1998, Tembo moved to South Africa to join Seven Stars, a club he played for until 1999, after which he signed with SuperSport United. During his time at SuperSport United, Tembo earned several accolades and was eventually made club captain
International Career
Tembo played for the Zimbabwean national team, representing the country at the 1999, 2000, and 2003 COSAFA Cup tournaments, as well as the 2004 African Cup of Nations. He was part of the history-making Zimbabwean national team that qualified for the country’s maiden African Cup of Nations under coach Sunday Chidzambwa in 2004.
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Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Tembo transitioned into coaching, initially serving as an assistant coach at SuperSport United Football Club. He later took on roles coaching the club’s junior and reserve teams. In 2007, Tembo completed a Coaching Licence in the Netherlands (KNVB) and later obtained Level One and Two Coaching Courses with SAFA in 2012.
Tembo’s early coaching successes included winning the Under-17 Engen Cup in 2008 and the Lagos International Cup in 2010. He was appointed head coach of SuperSport United in 2018, having served the club for 23 years. During his tenure as head coach, he led the team to two MTN8 Cup Finals, securing his first major trophy by defeating Highlands Park in 2019. Tembo was relieved of his duties as head coach of SuperSport United on April 12, 2022.
On June 8, 2022, Tembo was appointed head coach of Sekhukhune United, though his stint was short-lived, as he was dismissed on November 1, 2022, following a series of poor results.
In July 2023, Tembo joined Richards Bay Football Club, becoming the third team he had coached in the South African Premier Soccer League. His tenure at Richards Bay saw mixed results, including a run to the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup, where they were defeated 3-0 by Stellenbosch FC. However, on December 25, 2023, Richards Bay announced his departure after recording just four wins in 18 games.
On August 15, 2022, Tembo returned to Sekhukhune United, this time as a senior coach, working alongside head coach Lehlohonolo Seema.
