It’s harder to win for Kaizer Chiefs because of who we are: Komphela

27 September 2016 - 17:03 By Tiisetso Malepa

Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Steve Komphela is unsure yet if his team’s back-to-back wins – gained in unconvincing fashion – represent a turnaround of some sort yet‚ after a stuttering start to the season. Amakhosi are coming off a morale-boosting 2-0 home Premier Soccer League victory over Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium on Saturday following a 1-0 win away at Highlands Park in Tembisa last week to arrest a three-match winless streak.Komphela’s men stuttered to two defeats and a draw in their opening three matches. Following his side’s back-to-back victories‚ Komphela believes Chiefs are beginning to grow in confidence again.But he was reluctant to commit to a turnaround.“I wish I could tell what weather it will be tomorrow but I can only pray it becomes a sunny day‚” said Komphela after he was asked if the consecutive wins represented a turnaround for his team.A hat-trick of wins when Amakhosi meet Free State Stars at James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney on Wednesday night (7.30pm) would surely be seen as a turning point of some sort‚ but Komphela is adopting a cautious approach. Chiefs were beaten 2-1 at Bidvest Wits on the opening day of the campaign on August 23. They were bundled out of the MTN8 at the quarterfinal stage when they lost 1-0 away at Cape Town City and were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Platinum Stars in their third match of the season.Chiefs will look to make it three wins from three when they travel to Orkney to face winless Stars.Despite their mediocre start and the negative press that has engendered‚ Amakhosi are placed fourth on Absa Premiership log with seven points – two behind log leaders Golden Arrows.Komphela emphasised the need for his team to keep in touch with the pack early on in the season. “Staying with the pack is a must. Unfortunately who we are [at Kaizer Chiefs] calls for leadership."We must always lead the pack‚ unfortunately. And leading the pack needs a lot of hard work‚” said Komphela.“All that we are looking at is that this chemistry must be reinforced. We need more of ‘us’ – and the minute we are us‚ then it’s going to be us against the rest of the Premier Soccer League.” Stars team will be led by a new caretaker-coach in Themba Sithole after Frenchman Denis Lavagne was sacked three matches into the season last week.“Go get all the matches [Stars] played so that we can zoom in and understand what had been happening [with them] but also mindful of the fact that they have just changed coaches‚” Komphela said.“The previous coach is no more and obviously the current one [Sithole] will have his own thinking but players won’t change.“We hope to go to Orkney on Wednesday on the back of two wins with confidence‚ and try get a result. But it’s not easy because of who we [Chiefs] are – the challenge forever remains very difficult.”Chiefs’ coach was impressed with how his defence has tightened the screws with two clean sheets on the trot.“I think clean sheets are always great to keep‚ they give confidence to the defence and they would tell you that strikers win you matches but defence wins you Championships‚” added Komphela.- TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.