Komphela deserves another chance at Chiefs‚ says Khune

Steve Komphela is a “very very good” coach who deserves another chance to prove his worth at Kaizer Chiefs despite two trophy-less campaigns‚ says goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune ahead of the last round of Absa Premeirship matches on Saturday.

Komphela has found himself under increasing scrutiny after a five-game winless run which has seen Amakhosi lose the race for the league title and also fail to lift any silverware in his full two seasons in charge.

Chiefs finished fifth in Komphela's first year last season and are likely to end up in the same position in this campaign if they fail to beat newly crowned Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Bidvest Wits‚ who they host at 3pm at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

• Stuart Baxter announces Bafana squad to face Nigeria in 2019 Afcon qualifierNew Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter finally showed his hand when he announced his first squad as national team boss. 

By Chiefs lofty standards‚ two consecutive seasons without any silverware will naturally prompt their legion of fans to call for the head of the coach but senior player Khune has pleaded with management to give Komphela another chance at the helm of the most supported team in the country.

“The coach has done tremendously well it's just that there is nothing to show for it‚” said the Bafana Bafana keeper during a media open day held at the club's headquarters in Naturena‚ south of Johannesburg‚ on Thursday.

• 'There are million reasons why people will suggest we won’t be successful,' says new Bafana coach BaxterStuart Baxter spoke like a mix between a pastor and a salesperson in his first official address as a Bafana Bafana coach‚ preaching unity and selling the legacy he wants to leave behind. 

“But he deserves another chance to prove his worth because he deserves to be here‚ he deserves to be part of us.

"He is a very very good coach who deserves better from all of us as players‚” said Khune.

Interestingly‚ the under-fire coach did not speak to reporters.

Khune added: “In the history of the club two seasons without winning anything is unfair for the club‚ it's unfair to our fans who are there for us at all times so we just have to go and pull up our socks and and try win something for them.”

• Stuart Baxter chases Nedbank Cup record books ahead of SuperSport United exitStuart Baxter could become the first coach in South African football history to win the Nedbank Cup on three occasions if his SuperSport United side are successful against Orlando Pirates in the tournament decider on June 24. 

Khune also confirmed that the club will give newly crowned champions Wits a guard of honour.

Chiefs are placed fifth on the log and could finish their trophy-less campaign 16 points behind the champions.

“First of all on behalf of the club I'd like to congratulate Bidvest Wits.

"They deserved the championship but it wasn't an easy season for them and for all the other 15 PSL teams because it's been so tight for long periods of time.

• Chiefs misery continues after 2-0 defeat away at Platinum Stars As their feeble season continued, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela increasingly wore the look of a medical practitioner with a diagnosis but in short supply of medicine. 

“Some of the teams gave it away at the last minute. So congratulations to Wits and yes they do deserve the guard of honour.

“It's so heart-warming when you walk out of the tunnel to see other players giving you a guard of honour so they deserve it.”

Komphela has one more year to go on his contract with Amakhosi.

Chiefs' owner Kaizer Motaung did not commit to Komphela’s future at the club next season earlier this month‚ but did seem to give a word of confidence to his coach by saying that Amakhosi are in no mood to "chop and change coaches” overnight.

• Chiefs top three hopes take a nosedive after defeat in Polokwane The prospect of not playing continental football for the second season on the trot grew bigger for Kaizer Chiefs as they look set to finish outside of the top three. 

Saturday’s full fixture list (all matches kick off at 3pm):

Golden Arrows vs Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium

Maritzburg United vs Bloemfontein Celtic at Harry Gwala Stadium

Polokwane City vs Cape Town City at Peter Mokaba Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs vs Bidvest Wits at FNB Stadium

Ajax Cape Town vs Baroka FC at Cape Town Stadium

SuperSport United vs Platinum Stars at Lucas Moripe Stadium

Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns at Makhulong Stadium

Free State Stars vs Chippa United at Goble Park

 — TMG Digital/TMG Sport