SuperSport have won just once in their last 11 games, playing out a goalless draw in their previous Absa Premiership clash against Cape Town City to leave them just above the drop zone in 14th position.
It’s been a roller-coaster ride for Matsatsantsa, who after winning the MTN8 and reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final, have won just four out of 26 games since losing out to TP Mazembe.
Following head coach Eric Tinkler’s resignation in March, caretaker Tembo – who has won just one of the seven games he’s overseen – concedes he’s had to start from scratch as he looks to save the club’s ailing season.
“When you are not winning games, the morale in camp and the confidence of the players also goes, so we’ve got to start from the bottom, and get the players to start believing and play with a bit of freedom and confidence,” he says. “Players are now starting to do that, and play the type of football we know them for. But unfortunately now the games are running out, but in terms of performance and confidence, I think we’re getting there.”
SuperSport will have to put their league worries on the back-burner for the time being however, as they look to overturn their 1-0 first leg loss to Gor Mahia ahead of their second leg CAF qualifier on Wednesday evening, an encounter in which Tembo admits he’ll have to field a number of fringe squad members.
“It’s all about managing the team and the players,” he said. “When we went to Kenya, we took some of our youngsters – Luke le Roux, Jamie Webber, Teboho Mokoena and Sipho Mbule – they all played there, and did very well. There were some players who are battered in terms of game-time, like ‘Yeye’ [Reneilwe Lentsholonyane], Dean [Furman] and Thuso [Phala] – they have played a lot of football. So we have to try and give them time to rest so they are fresh when they play Free State Stars.”
Free State Stars pose a tricky test in their next domestic fixture at home, with Chippa United (away) and Baroka FC (home) rounding off the season, yet Kaitano insists full focus must be given to their upcoming clash against the Kenyans.
“We need to try win our home games,” he said. “We will try prepare well for that game, for Free States Stars, in the same way we are preparing for any other game. Our most important game is always the next one, which is CAF, and after that we will start thinking about Free State Stars.”
Kick-off at Lucas Moripe Stadium is set for 19h00.