Johannesburg – Two foreign nationals – Patrick Mabedi and Kaitano Tembo – both tough defenders during their glory days at their South Afric...
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Johannesburg – Two foreign nationals – Patrick Mabedi and Kaitano Tembo – both tough defenders during their glory days at their South African football teams, have set records by becoming the first non-citizens from Africa to have captained and coached their former Absa Premiership teams concurrently.
Mabedi – a Malawian national turned out for Kaizer Chiefs between 1998 and 2006 as a defender – scoring seven goals in 205 appearances. He later concluded his career at Moroka Swallows.At Chiefs – under the tutelage of Ted Dumitru, Mabedi commandeered a solid defence as the captain – with Fabian McCarthy – propelling the Glamour Boys to its first title in 12 years – having tasted defeat three times only.
The 44-year old Chiefs interim coach – nicknamed Bostik or General during his heydays – was appointed after the unceremonious departure of Steve Komphela on 21 April, punctured by violence in Durban, as incensed supports protested their loss to Free State Stars.
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| Patrick Mabedi |
The Malawian assisted Steve Komphela following his return to Naturena at the start of the current season from Cape Town All Stars.
Chiefs also announced that Mabedi will be assisted by Arthur Zwane, another former player who served the club with distinction during his playing days.
“Following the resignation of head coach Steve Komphela, Kaizer Chiefs have decided that Patrick Mabedi will take charge of the first team for the remainder of the 2017/2018 season. The Malawian was the assistant to Komphela.
“The former defender captained the side to back-to-back Premiership titles in 2004 and 2005, while he was also part of the team that won glory on the African continent, winning the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup,” Chiefs announced.
Mabedi will be assisted by another Chiefs great Arthur Zwane, as a permanent replacement is sought.
At Supersport United, Kaitano Tembo – the highly acclaimed Zimbabwean defenders to have donned the famous Dynamos blue and white jersey was elevated to the post of coach at the Pretoria outfit on an interim basis in March 2018, after the resignation of Eric Tinkler.
Tembo joined Supersport in 1999 – and soon revived his traits as a tough-as-tick defender, overlapping to the Warriors squad that qualified for the initial Africa Cup of Nations in 2004.
Upon retirement, Tembo was initially appointed the assistant coach before he was eventually appointed the head coach. He also worked at junior level.
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| Kaitano Tembo |
“Under the guidance of coach Stuart, I think he learnt a lot. He’s the head coach for now and you can see how he is trying to do things back to how we were doing them under coach Stuart and we are used to that philosophy.
“Going forward I think he is a very good candidate. I am just hoping that they give him a chance because he deserves it. He has been in the assistant coach role for long and I think just throw him in there and see how it goes. He did well when coach Stuart was leaving,” Supersport chairman said.
Despite the departure of two coaches, Tembo remains loyal to the Supersport brand – and he has respect for the previous mentors.
“Ja, I spoke to him [after the resignation]. I know he is a good guy, we worked together, we were close. Yesterday we spoke but some of the things I will keep to myself.
“Unfortunately things didn't work out but we won the MTN8 together, we got to the Confederation Cup final together. Things didn't work out but at the end of the day he is a good coach," Tembo revealed.
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