Durban City Backtrack On Tembo

Durban City has backtracked on their decision to bring Kaitano Tembo to the club.

Coach Gavin Hunt has expressed his satisfaction with Pitso Dladla remaining as his assistant coach.

Sportswire had previously reported that Tembo was set to reunite with Hunt at City, following their extensive work together at SuperSport United.

However, according to a source, Tembo still had a contract with Sekhukhune United, which prevented Durban City from securing his services from Eric Tinkler’s side.

When asked for an update on the assistant coach position, Hunt stated his desire to keep Pitso Dladla due to his familiarity with the club. Dladla was with Durban City last season alongside Simo Dladla when the club achieved promotion to the PSL top flight.

“I want to keep Pitso,” Hunt replied to Sportswire.

“I think it’s important to work with the local ones. He knows the club, he knows the land, he knows players in KwaZulu-Natal – I like that. Why bring somebody in when something is already there? We’re not breaking down everything. I think we should keep something that worked last season. I don’t know Pitso well, but I only got to know him last week and a half. But we’ve worked well together, and football is football.”

Sportswire had also been informed that Dladla was going to be redeployed by City to be in charge of the DStv Diski Challenge team, assisted by Macbeth Sibaya.

Despite Hunt’s comments, City chairman Farook Kadodia seemed to suggest the club is still in the hunt for a new assistant coach, though Dladla is currently serving in that role.

“Once we have finalized our technical team, we will confirm,” said Kadodia. “But Pitso is with the main team, the senior team, and he is with the club on a daily basis. Pitso will definitely be part of the team, and we need to iron out a few positions that still need to be closed, and then we will confirm it.”

One confirmed appointment is Rowan Fernandez, who has been named the club’s goalkeeper coach.