SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo says with Teboho Mokoena moving to Mamelodi Sundowns it now presents the youngsters at the club with an opportunity to step up and claim a regular spot in the squad.
During the January transfer window, the 25-year-old midfielder Teboho Mokoena made a big-money move to Sundowns after playing over 150 times for SuperSport.
Tembo admits that to find someone to fill the shoes left by Mokoena’s departure will be tough but believes they need to be positive and they will find someone to replace the Bafana Bafana midfielder.
“Mokoena [leaving] is a huge blow for the team, because he has been very influential,” Tembo told media.
“He’s one player that’s grown and became a huge part of our team and setup. He was experienced, playing for Bafana Bafana and at the Olympics. If you lose a player of his calibre, you’re bound to be depleted a little bit.
“We also try to take the positives; it is a good career move for him as an individual, it benefits the club as well.
“It has also opened space for the young players like Selaelo Rasebotja and Thalente Mbatha to step up and get that opportunity. It also happened with Mokoena as well when we had Dean Furman and Reneilwe Letsholonyane… when they left he (Mokoena) stepped up.
“Players like Jamie Webber and Jesse Donn, the stage is set for them to step up and lead the team. I’m quite positive they will grab the opportunity. We will always stay ambitious and competitive irrespective of the departures,” Tembo added.
