Komphela versus Eymael: How they shape up
JOHANNESBURG: There is great anticipation to see Kaizer Chiefs take on Free State Stars twice – once in the PSL tomorrow night and later in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals – this month. And much of the interest in seeing these two teams wrestle each other has to be put down to speculation that with Steve Komphela almost certainly on his way out of Naturena, Luc Eymael has been linked to the Amakhosi job for some time now as a possible replacement.
Komphela also added fuel to the fire last week when he issued a warning to coaches already raising their hands as his potential successor, particularly Eymael.
But just how good is Komphela’s track record in comparison to that of the Belgian in the last three years? Progress A year into Komphela’s stint at Chiefs, Eymael arrived at Polokwane City as an unexpected choice for Rise and Shine, but nevertheless with an impressive CV.
Chiefs reached two Cup finals in four months during Komphela’s first season, but were heavily criticised for performances that all but set the tone for the rest of his tenure.
To date, the coach is still searching for his first piece of competitive silverware at the club and the Nedbank Cup remains his last chance of glory as he nears the end of his three-year contract.
Eymael, although he, too, has no trophies to show for his efforts since arriving in South Africa in 2016, has certainly answered all questions regarding his ability.
When the Belgian resigned from his post at City, the Limpopo outfit were fifth on the league standings and thanks to Eymael’s foundation there, held on to finish in the top eight despite his departure. Resources Perhaps Chiefs never really freshened up their championship-winning side when Stuart Baxter left and Komphela took over, but this remains a club with the financial muscle to improve if they so choose.
Eymael is on the record as saying he was a one-man technical team at City and it is no secret their pockets aren’t as deep as those of Amakhosi, even with businessman Johnny Mogaladi as the chairman.
For Eymael to turn City into dark horses in the title race was a massive statement, and it’s proved to be no fluke seeing that he’s done the same at Free State Stars almost two years later – another team that had made peace with survival in the league being their sole target until the Belgian coach took over in August.
Komphela has had players come and go at Chiefs and has still not won the fans over. The future It would come as a huge surprise if Komphela were to renew his contract at Naturena. The coach himself seems prepared for any eventuality, reiterating that the job or “project” he started at Chiefs nearly three years ago isn’t necessarily for him to complete – the words of a man who knows he is probably on his way out.
It is unlikely he still has the backing of the club management, who will argue they have given him more than enough time to deliver, although their full support in terms of playing personnel has often been debated.
Eymael’s nature as a nomad also suggests he may very well be on his way out. He revealed turning down the job at Ajax Cape Town in December before Muhsin Ertugral was appointed to try to save them from relegation, but Stars will have their work cut out in trying to keep him in Bethlehem for another season.