SuperSport United head coach Kaitano Tembo was delighted with Thamsanqa Gabuza's impact in their MTN8 final victory over Highlands Park on Saturday evening.
Bradley Grobler's header on the stroke of half-time was enough to hand the title to Matsatsantsa, avenging last season's defeat to Cape Town City on penalties.
READ: SuperSport crowned MTN8 champs
"I knew it was going to be a difficult game but like I said before the game if we can deal with the long throw [in] and set-plays, there's nothing more they can trouble us," the Zimbabwean tactician told SuperSport TV.
"[Thamsanqa] Gabuza did a great job on [Mothobi] Mvala because we knew that was their go-to guy especially on set-plays and long throw-ins. Other than that I think we dominated the game and deserve to win the final.
"They had one moment there [early in the first half], I think Ronwen [Williams] kept us in the game. We went to sleep. he made a good save there and after that we kind of got back to the game, not really looking as sharp as we wanted to.
"We knew that they would man-mark but we didn't have that element of surprise especially in the first half. The only time we had that we scored, when 'Tebza' [Teboho Mokoena] went through the gate and delivered a cross, because we knew that they follow runners, Bradley [Grobler] was left unmarked. Good goal from Bradley."
Tembo was humble when asked about clinching his first-ever title as a head coach.
"My first trophy, but at the same time I have to give it to the guys, since day one we have been a family, they accepted me. We got into the final last season [lost to Cape Town City on penalties] but we kept on working. The players bought to my philosophy and they are the ones running with it now, so it makes it easier for me, that's why I give it to them and the technical team.
"The board, the CEO Stan Matthews, I know he always gives me a hard time because he believes in me I really appreciate that, even the the chairman as well. It's not easy for them to give an opportunity to someone like me but I really appreciate that," he said.