Former SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo says there are three players that are ‘unfortunate’ not to be in Europe’s top leagues at the moment.
The Zimbabwean coach Kaitano Tembo was fortunate enough to mentor some of the finest players in the DStv Premiership.
He witnessed the rise of many players to stardom during his time at SuperSport. Tembo rose through the SuperSport United juniors rank as a coach before taking over as senior team head coach in 2018.
During his time at Matsatsantsa, he reached two MTN8 Cup finals, winning his first trophy against Highlands Park in 2019.
He went on to coach Sekhukhune United and, most recently, Richards Bay FC, where his tenure ended in December 2023.
TEMBO NAMES THE PSL STARS WHO ARE ‘UNFORTUNATE’ NOT TO BE IN TOP EUROPEAN LEAGUES
The 53-year-old believes Bradley Grobler is unfortunate not to be plying his trade in Europe. Grobler spent a year in Turkey at Göztepe, who are now in the second-tier league.
He returned to join Ajax Cape Town in August 2012 and switched to SuperSport United six months later.
“It’s not everywhere that you get a striker who gives you ten or more goals every season. He is that rare type. I feel he deserves to be in Europe and even getting more caps for Bafana Bafana,” Tembo told FARPost.
“He spent some time in Turkey and came back, but how he has developed over time speaks for itself. The same goes for Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams.
“I watched them develop to be top players. These two could be playing in Europe because they also have the attributes and everything about them makes them qualify. These three, Grobler, Mokoena and Williams, deserve to be in Europe.”
After the 2023 AFCON finals Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokeona reportedly attracted interest from European clubs. Nothing has so far materialised for the duo who were outstanding for Bafana Bafana during the tournament.
Williams kept four clean sheets and saved a record four penalties to send Bafana to the semi-finals. Star midfielder Mokoena scored two goals and was a vital cog in Hugo Broos’ team throughout the tournament.
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