SuperSport United caretaker coach Kaitano Tembo praised his charges after they held an in-form Orlando Pirates to a 0-0 draw at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday.

Matsatsantsa gained an important point with the result, which could prove pivotal in their fight to avoid relegation this season. The point leaves United just one point clear of Ajax Cape Town, who are in the relegation playoff spot, with just four games remaining.

Speaking to SuperSport TV Tembo said, ‘I’ve got to give credit to the boys. It wasn’t an easy game. This is a very good Pirates team. In the first half, I think we tried to be a bit more adventurous. I think we created better opportunities when we pressed them a bit high.

‘But in the second half, they dominated play. They had most of the possession, that’s where we did well to keep them out.’

The caretaker coach revealed that keeping a clean sheet against the Buccaneers was a key part of his team’s game plan, ‘It can push my mentality because all we wanted wasn’t to concede, especially in the first half. When we came back we know we will not have the legs to keep pressing them high.

‘So we needed to play them on transition and we had a couple of chances on transition. We had to sit back. I think the performance of the team today was brilliant especially coming from Kenya.’

SuperSport United will continue their fight for survival when they take on Cape Town City on Saturday at the Athlone Stadium, with kick-off at 20:00.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix