SuperSport United have sacked Zimbabwean coach Kaitano Tembo, the South African club has confirmed via a statement.

A statement from SuperSport chief executive officer Stan Matthews says they arrived at the decision in the interest of the team.

“Kaitano is the epitome of the dedicated club man,” Matthews says.

The coach has lost his job days after SuperSport exited the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals following a 3-2 loss to Tshakhuma FC on Friday night.

“Very few players transition into coaching at the same club where they played. We want to thank Kaitano for the many years that he served SuperSport United in various capacities,” Matthews added.

“It is never easy parting ways but as a true servant, Kaitano has always placed the interests of the club above that of individuals. We are grateful for the role he has played at the club both as a player and coach.”

Tembo, one of the longest serving coaches in the DStv Premiership in recent years, had gone five consecutive games without a win before his sack.

Tembo has been with SuperSport for 23 years, having first joined as a player in 1999 before becoming coach in 2018.

Tembo, who won the MTN8 Cup in 2019, earlier told the media in South Africa that he was not worried with rumours linking former AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy with the SuperSport job.

He leaves SuperSport on position eight on the log table with 31 points from 24 games with six games to go.

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Andre Arendse has since been named caretaker coach for the Pretoria-based side for the remainder of the season.