Kaitano Tembo out to prove critics wrong at Richards Bay

The Natal Rich Boys made the appointment after their initial agreement to rope in Mandla Ncikazi at the club collapsed, and Tembo’s poor start of a five-game DStv Premiership winless run didn’t help ease the pressure.

Ncikazi remains the Orlando Pirates assistant coach.

Tembo broke the streak on Friday night with a hard fought 1-0 win over Moroka Swallows and vowed to improve the struggling side.

"It is the right decision because for me I also want to go to a difficult place and be able to show what I can do as a coach. Not to be in a comfort zone where I can do whatever I want," Tembo said.

Tembo began his coaching career at SuperSport United after retiring as club captain, and his last job before Richards Bay came calling was at Sekhukhune United where he was sacked after 12 games.

The current project isn’t only about securing the club’s topflight status, but about redeeming his career too.

"I need to try and show my ability as a coach. Try to improve players hence I took this challenge because I knew that I need to improve myself in terms of my coaching ability because this team requires a lot of coaching. We're gonna spend more time together especially on the training field to try and improve the players," Tembo explained.

The coach now has to build on this first win in 20 matches for Richards Bay, who were very nearly relegated in May. Tembo adds he is aware of expectations.

"I was never given any mandate but I know in football it's always about winning matches. If you don't win matches, it's always a problem but from a personal point of view the chairman never really put me under pressure even when we were losing."