Komphela marks Paez at 55 percent as new striker makes his Chiefs debut

Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has given Venezuelan striker Gustavo Paez a mark of five-and-half out of 10 after his 30-minute debut appearance‚ where Amakhosi convincingly beat Free State Stars 3-1 at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

Komphela introduced his new acquisition in the 58th minute of the Premier Soccer League match to replace misfiring Zimbabwean Edmore Chirambadare‚ and Paez showed positive signs with good touches and running on and off the ball.

He even produced a deft backheel pass to set-up a teammate outside the box as Chiefs tried to open holes in Stars’ defence‚ much to the delight of the few Amakhosi fans who were at the stadium.

“I am happy with the performance of Gustavo Paez – you could see some glimpses of somebody who has the qualities and attributes of a striker and with time he will get there‚” Komphela said after the match.

• Chiefs cruise past FS Stars For a man known for his no-nonsense approach in the heart of the midfield, defensive midfielder Willard Katsande scored a goal of beauty to help Kaizer Chiefs to a deserved 3-1 win over struggling Free State Stars on Tuesday night. 

Elaborating on Paez’s 30 minutes‚ Komphela said he was impressed because the striker showed he knew where he wanted to run and played for the team.

“We need to be more patient with him – he is a good player and he is going to help us a lot‚” the coach said.

“In the time he spent on the field‚ you could see the movements of somebody who understands where he wanted to run to‚ his ball control was good‚ he played with the team and he was good with link play.”

Komphela added that though he was happy with Paez’s limited contribution on his debut‚ there was a moment where the player could have done better in terms of decision-making‚ but the coach expects him to grow in confidence and show his qualities as the season progresses.

• Maritzburg United keep focus ahead of Kaizer Chiefs grudge matchVeteran Maritzburg United defender Bryce Moon said keeping focus ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Polokwane City is not going to be easy‚ especially with Kaizer Chiefs looming on Saturday at home. 

“There is only one moment where I felt that he could have done better‚ when he took a shot from outside the box when he could have done something differently.

“But it was also a message that I am a striker and I want to score. It is human nature that he would want to try hard and fit immediately‚ and the minute he starts doing that it will become difficult but‚ overall I am happy with his performance.”

Chiefs’ next league assignment is against Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday night and Komphela could not be drawn into commenting whether Paez will start in that match or not.

“I can only make a submission with regard to the contribution he made in the 30 minutes he played.

“I had an opportunity to work with him during the preparations and based on that I know he is a good player and we need to give him time to integrate into the team slowly‚” he said.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport