Venda FC coach Kaitano Tembo has revealed the key factor that led to him accepting the offer to take over at the Motsepe Foundation Championship side.
Tembo was recently appointed to replace Clinton Larsen, who parted ways with the club after a few games into the 2026/27 season.
The 56-year-old takes over on a two-year deal, with Fani Mthethwa as his assistant coach.
His last job was with the Zimbabwe Football Association [FIFA], where he worked as an assistant coach and also served as an interim head coach of the national team.
Speaking to FARPost at the Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo, Tembo says he was impressed with how the club is managed and also wants to contribute to the overall vision.
NEW VENDA FC COACH EXPLAINS WHY HE ACCEPTED THE OFFER IN LIMPOPO
“Look, I think the most important thing for me was the conversation that I had with the president [Robinson Ramaite] as well as the chairman [Itani Munzhelele] in terms of the vision of the club,” Tembo told FARPost.
“So I thought I could be the one who can also come and contribute towards that vision. I’m very grateful that they also think I could be the right person to contribute to that vision and take the club to another level. It’s not just a decision that I made.
“I had a look at good facilities as well in terms of a clubhouse; there are also training fields that are being built. So I think it’s a project that I’m quite happy to be involved in,” he added.
WHY DID KAITANO TEMBO LEAVE HIS JOB AT THE ZIMBABWE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION?
Tembo has also explained why he left the Zimbabwean FA to take a job in the National First Division.
“Look, for me, I just wanted to be a little bit back on the day-to-day coaching because when I was the assistant coach as well as an interim coach, it was not permanent,” he declared.
“You know, it was through getting call-ups. That’s what happened. But I just managed to make that decision because I just wanted to come and make sure that I coach regularly soon.”
However, the former SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United coach faces a huge task in helping the Venda club turn the corner in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
As it stands, Venda FC are languishing at the bottom of the log with one point from their opening six matches of the season. They have managed only one draw, with no wins and six defeats.
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