Kaitano Tembo returns to South African football as Venda FC head coach

Kaitano Tembo has returned to the Premier Soccer League environment after being appointed head coach of Motsepe Foundation Championship side Venda FC.

The former SuperSport United manager replaces Clinton Larsen and is reportedly set to take charge on a two-year contract.

Venda chairman Itani Munzhelele confirmed the change in an interview with SABC’s Phalaphala FM. Larsen’s departure follows a difficult opening to the campaign for the Limpopo-based club.

Venda have taken only one point from their first five league matches, losing four games and drawing one. That run leaves them bottom of the table.

Tembo’s appointment marks his return to the South African game after a period with the Zimbabwe national team setup.

The 56-year-old’s most recent involvement in the South African top flight came at Sekhukhune United, where he worked as head of first-team football between 2024 and 2026.

He subsequently joined Zimbabwe as an assistant coach before being placed in interim charge in April this year, following the departure of Romanian coach Mario Marinica.

After Spanish coach Ramon Catala was appointed as the new Warriors head coach, Tembo was moved to the Zimbabwe U20 setup and was due to lead the Young Warriors.

He will now instead begin a new challenge with Venda, who will be hoping his experience can help them recover from their poor start and move away from the bottom of the Motsepe Foundation Championship table.

Tembo previously coached Richards Bay and spent his longest spell in South African football with the now-defunct Matsatsantsa a Pitori.