SuperSport beat Orlando Pirates on penalties in their MTN8 quarterfinal clash at Orlando Stadium and Lungu, who typically plays as a winger or striker, operated at right-back in Soweto.
The club’s regular right-back Grant Kekana sustained an injury in Matsatsantsa’s final training session on Friday, while Siyabonga Nhlapo is also out nursing a knock. It left Tembo with no choice but to play Lungu in a position he is not familiar with, but the Zambian was excellent throughout the match, keeping up with Pirates winger Vincent Pule as well as left-back Innocent Maela, who pushed forward a lot.
“There’s still a lot to come from him. He’s actually an attacker, but we lost Grant to injury, so we did not have any other option,” Tembo said after the match, which ended 2-2 after extra-time.
“He is one boy who has the hunger and desire to succeed and I knew that he will grab this opportunity wherever he plays. I did not have any doubt in terms of his attitude, I knew he would perform. Yes, he’ll make mistakes here and there, it’s not his natural position. But I am really happy for him.
“He is well-grounded and he will improve with time as well, especially when he plays in his natural position. He scores a lot of goals, so that’s where we want him to play [upfront]. Today we just needed cover.”