Free State Stars give Komphela the boot

Free State Stars have fired coach Steve Komphela.

The former Bafana Bafana captain and his bosses yesterday agreed to part ways.

It comes after Stars suffered a 2-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in an Absa Premiership match at Charles Mopeli Stadium on Saturday.

Before Saturday's game in the Free State, Stars played to a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu.

"Based on the fact that the results were not forthcoming, we agreed that we will part ways. Steve has been very nice to us. He is like part of the Mokoena family [club owners]," said Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena.

Komphela, who has also coached various national teams including Bafana, rejoined Stars three seasons ago from Platinum Stars.

Mokoena said Themba Sithole, Komphela's deputy, who also played alongside him at the same club, will be the caretaker coach.

Attempts to get hold of Komphela were unsuccessful as his cellphone rang unanswered.

Stars, who travel to Tshwane on Wednesday to face equally struggling University of Pretoria, are 11th on the log from 11 matches.

The PSL coaching merry-go-round has already seen Duncan Lechesa, Clinton Larsen, Jacob Sakala and Ernst Middendorp either resign, being redeployed or fired.