That Steve Komphela is not a quitter was cemented in no uncertain terms at the Kaizer Chiefs village in Naturena this week.
What is still unclear though is how the Kaizer Chiefs hierarchy, who have stood firmly behind their man amid growing and sometimes violent calls from the club supporters for the coach to be sacked, will respond if the team fail to beat their bitter rivals in the two league matches at the end of this month.
First on the plate for Komphela and his troops will be their short trip to Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on October 17 where they will meet Mamelodi Sundowns before hosting Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby four days later at FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi fans, some of whom have been voicing their anger by throwing missiles on the field directed at Komphela whenever they suffer a loss, will be eager to see what the Chiefs management do with their coach if the two results don't go their way.
Losses against Sundowns and Pirates will make it three in succession and further put Komphela in a tight spot after escaping the rioting fans in Durban last weekend following Chiefs' astonishing 2-1 loss to log-leaders Baroka FC.
The defeat in Durban incensed Amakhosi fans so much that some came very close to breaking the windows in the VIP area at the Moses Mabhida Stadium where club manager Bobby Motaung was watching the match. The supporters went there looking for answers after Komphela failed once again to silence them with victory against a visiting Bakgaga, in Limpopo, club.
After their home match in Durban, Motaung reacted in a familiar fashion, saying they were not in a "crisis mode" despite the team having shipped 10 points at home this season from a possible 12.
"It's normal the fans will want us to act after a bad result but as management we can't take emotional decisions," said Motaung.
Boosted by Motaung's strong show of support, Komphela himself sounded a lot more confident later on in the week, giving supporters this message: "I'm sure people are sick and tired of reasons, even ourselves. I think one thing that we need to get quickly is the results."
Komphela acknowledged that they have been dishing out far more reasons than results. But even after saying that, the look on his face was far from resembling that of a man who's having sleepless nights regarding his job. In fact, Komphela went on to boldly declare that: "Winners never quit and quitters never win."
There's no doubt that those words would have sounded like a sweet melody to the ears of the Amakhosi faithful if they were coming from a winner, not Komphela - the one who is in the twilight of his three-year contract with Chiefs but has yet to deliver any piece of genuine silverware...