Zim ropes in Kaitano Tembo ahead of crunch Bafana tie

Kaitano Tembo. Picture by Sekhukhune United/Facebook

Zimbabwe has roped in PSL coach Kaitano Tembo ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they face Bafana Bafana and Lesotho.

The Warriors of Zimbabwe are scheduled to play host to Bafana Bafana on Friday, 10 October, in a must-win match for the latter. This crunch tie will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Zimbabwe will also face Lesotho on the 13^th of October.

And to reinforce their technical team, the Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] has lured former SuperSport United [now Siwelele FC] and Richards Bay FC coach, Kaitano Tembo, to be Michael Nees’ second assistant coach. Takesure Chiragwi of Ngezi Platinum Stars is the first assistant. Tembo is currently with the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] team of Sekhukhune United.

Kaitano Tembo during his time as Richards Bay FC head coach. Picture by Richards Bay/Facebook

WHAT ZIFA PRESIDENT SAID ON KAITANO TEMBO’S UNVEILING

Tembo was unveiled in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, on Tuesday as head coach Nees announced his squad for the upcoming round of World Cup qualifiers. Speaking at the press conference, ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said they are confident Tembo will help The Warriors change their fortunes.

“We want to put our best foot forward in the remaining World Cup qualifiers and at the upcoming AFCON tournament. That is why we have also brought in Coach Kaitano Tembo to help us be what we all want to be. To our fans, we see your passion and we do not take it for granted. Success is a process,” Magwizi said.

Last time out, Zimbabwe suffered a 3-1 loss to Bafana at the Free State Stadium in June 2024. This time, Bafana desperately need to ensure a win to realign their campaign after FIFA docked three points from their tally following the Teboho Mokoena saga.

As it stands, Bafana dropped to second position, though they are tied on 14 points with Benin. Crucially, Benin are on top of Group C based on goal difference. This means Hugo Broos’ men must collect maximum points against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

They will also hope that Benin drop points along the way. Benin are set to take on Rwanda and Nigeria. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe anchor the group with four points. And they are using the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] to be held in Morocco.