The student is plotting a plan to outmaster his teacher in today’s Tshwane derby between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium (3.30pm kick-off).
Kaitano Tembo who was under the tutelage of Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane during his playing days, will battle it out against his teacher in today’s Absa Premiership tussle.
Tembo took over the reins at SuperSport at the start of the season, and will face Mosimane for the first time since taking over the head coaching position.
The Zimbabwean was the skipper when Mosimane was at the helm at SuperSport.
Tembo is looking forward to the challenge of facing his mentor.
“It is going to be emotional for me,” said Tembo.
“I learned a lot from Pitso when I was still a player. We spoke with him before he went to Equatorial Guinea. He has achieved a lot in his career. He is very ambitious.
“I have huge respect for him but I want to get one over him. I know that it won’t be easy. We want to break the hoodoo against Sundowns. We haven’t won against them in the past nine games.”
Tembo has done well so far. He came close to clinching his maiden silverware as a head coach, succumbing to Cape Town City in the final of the MTN8.
“Pitso is passionate about the game of football. His success is not by mistake. He is a hard worker. He has opened doors for upcoming coaches,” he said.
“When I was player, he used to task us with the responsibility of analysing games. I used to record games and analyse the opponents. That’s when I started to fall in love with coaching - I never thought of myself as a coach before then, “ he added.
Sundowns are still unbeaten in the league this season. They are also unbeaten against SuperSport United in the past 10 league matches but Tembo is confident they can get a result against their sworn rivals.
“I believe we have a good enough team to get the result. Sundowns have quality all-round but we will be prepared for every line-up they will bring against us. We are going in to this game with confidence after getting a point against Bloemfontein Celtic away from home,” Tembo explained.
Mosimane is expected to refresh his squad after a long trip to Equatorial Guinea when they triumphed 2-0 against Leones Vegetarianos in the Caf Champions League.
Sundowns have dominated the Tshwane derby and will want to continue with that dominance over their bitter rivals.
“We are playing more as a unit now. We are playing with confidence. It is going to be difficult against Sundowns. We want to end that advantage they have against us,” Tembo elaborated.
Matsatsantsa A Pitori have been difficult costumers to beat at home. They have collected 10 points out of the possible 12. Lamontville Golden Arrows and are the only side to get a point against SuperSport this season. AmaZulu, Chippa United and Black Leopards have all been victims.
@Minenhlecr7
Sunday Independent