(April 29,2005) Who said former Zimbabwean International Kaitano Tembo is old and past his prime? Who also said he has retired from the game. That is not true. One only needs to have watched Tembo in action when his South African club, Supersport United entertained Santos on Wednesday night in a Castle Premiership tie at Securicor Loftus Stadium to realise that the former Warriors captain is still very much in the game.Tembo could be 35 years but the former Warriors captain is still very very active if his performance against Santos is anything to go by.

With his splendid interceptions, man for man marking, and aerial advantage, Tembo reminded many of the old days when he was the pillar of defence for the Warriors side.

Observers, however, are of the opinion that Tembo has lost a lot in terms of speed and no longer stands a chance in a strong central Zimbabwean defence for where Zvenyika Makonese and Dumisani Mpofu have now monopolised.

That could be true but the Warriors defenders still have one or two things to learn from Tembo.Against Santos, he was unbeatable in one to one situations and still made those forays upfront to support the strikers.

In the end he helped Supersport to a 1-0 victory over the former South African Champions.It will not be easy for Tembo to play again in the Warriors set up, and that is also further affected by the fact that he now also has another responsibility as a juniors coach at his club. He does not feature regularly for his club due to that extra commitment.

He, however, has indicated that he will continue to play for as long as his legs can carry him. “I want to play until I am 40. That is my dream even if it means playing for club only,” he told The Daily Mirror on his last visit to Zimbabwe. Tembo was last in the Warriors set up last year when Zimbabwe travelled to Rwanda but did not play as he was on the substitute’s bench.

He went on to miss the two games against Angola, and the one against Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Since then, the national selectors have not called him to the national team but still remains an intergral part of Supersport in South Africa.

Supersport United are fifth in the 20 team Premiership with 45 points the same number as fourth placed Moroka Swallows.