Who is the most successful Zim coach in DStv Premiership history?
Several Zimbabwean coaches have tried their luck in the DStv Premiership but only a few like Roy Barreto and Kaitano Tembo have good memories.
Roy Barreto led Orlando Pirates to their 2002/03 title but after him, there has been more lows than highs for Zimbabwean coaches in South Africa.
Even the highly rated pair of Joey Antipas and Norman Mapeza tried but they did not last long.
Ex-Zimbabwe and Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar coached teams that include SuperSport United, Umtata Bush Bucks and Manning Rangers.
He, however, had little success, with a number of match-fixing allegations and corruption soiling his name.
Former Zimbabwe national team coach Sunday Chidzambwa also attempted his luck with Umtata Bush Bucks, Free State Stars and Black Leopards.
Unfortunately he was never able to leave a indelible mark despite being one of Zimbabwe’s decorated coaches.
Ian Gorowa is one of the few Zimbabwean coached that received so much hype locally.
Gorowa was outstanding during his stint as an assistant coach at Ajax Cape Town.
However, he failed to live up to his billing when he was appointed head coach of Swallows FC.
Veteran, Shepherd Murape also coached clubs that include Orlando Pirates, Swallows, Amazulu, Qwa Qwa Stars but with little success.
But it is Kaitano Tembo who emerges as arguably the only Zimbabwean coach with a decent record in South Africa.
WHY KAITANO TEMBO IS BETTER THAN HIS COUNTRYMEN
The former defender, Kaitano Tembo, was described by Stan Matthews as the ‘epitome of the dedicated club man’.
By staying as SuperSport United head coach from 2018 to 2022, Tembo became the first Zimbabwean coach to last that long at a DStv Premiership club.
“Tembo has done well in South Africa. The fact that he spent so much time at SuperSport United as a player and in the team’s structures helped him.
“Others did well but he [ Kaitano Tembo] has done enough to be better than others. Right now there is no Zimbabwean coaching in the DStv Premiership. He was the last man standing,” former PSL coach Chidzambwa said.
Tembo also became the second Zimbabwean to help a South African club win a knockout competition silverware.
The late Peter Nyama was the first when he won the Coca-Cola Cup in 1994 with Qwa Qwa Stars.
Under Tembo, SuperSport United reached two MTN8 Cup Finals but won it once after beating Highlands Park in the final of 2019.
The 52-year-old took over from Eric Tinkler in March 2018 on interim basis. He made a quick turnaround that led the club make his role permanent.
After leaving SuperSport United, Tembo was appointed as Sekhukune head coach ahead of the 2022/23 season.
He was sadly fired after 12 games and is currently unattached, which means there is no Zimbabwean coaching in the elite league.
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