Komphela explains why Ntshangase has struggled to win a place in the starting 11

Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has admitted that star signing Siphelele Ntshangase is struggling to deal with the pressure of playing for the glamour club just three months after arriving in a blaze of publicity.

The 24-year-old Ntshangase joined Chiefs from Baroka in the full glare of the media spotlight during the January transfer window but as Komphela conceded‚ the player is struggling to make his mark at Naturena.

‘‘Chiefs is a different animal‚” Komphela said.

‘‘Chiefs........ the adaptation here‚ hey it is not easy for the young kid here.

‘‘And sometimes ...... listen‚ this is an unbelievable brand and it is huge — it will swallow you.

‘‘You could come here having achieved immensely in your little environment but when you come here‚ the dynamics are different.

‘‘The adaption takes longer.

"We have seen top player come to Chiefs and we say ’but what happened with them?’

"So we need to understand that.”

The highly skilled playmaker signed a two-and-a-half year deal in January with the option to extend his stay with Amakhosi for one year and the fans expected him to replicate the breathtaking performances he delivered at Baroka and previous club Black Leopards.

But he has struggled to win a place in the starting line-up and Komphela has faced intense criticism from the fans‚ with many questioning the decision to leave him on the bench.

But as the Chiefs coach explained‚ Ntshangase has taken a bit longer than expected to acquaint himself with his new surroundings in the south of Johannesburg.

‘‘So coming from Black Leopards and coming from Baroka having played very well‚ the talent is there‚” Komphela said.

‘‘But to come and just hit the ground running here‚ it is not easy and it does not only happen with the players‚ it happens to everybody else.

‘‘It is not easy at Chiefs but we are patient‚ there are glimpses of him where you see the brilliance and intelligence in him. But you want to see that more consistently.

‘‘But it needs a lot of mental strength and acceptance of the challenge and to go through that challenge knowing that you are a professional‚ he will get there‚ he will get there

‘‘But where he had been playing before his talent was clear and he was exciting and energetic. Not that when he came to Chiefs he does not do such. It’s not easy..........”