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KOMPHELA: IT SHOULD NOT BE ABOUT YOU BUT THE PROCESS AND THE GAME
‘As long as Chiefs win, goal difference doesn’t matter’.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is not yet worried about his team’s low conversion rate as he looks to banking points first, and will only worry about goal difference and other factors at a later stage.
Komphela acknowledged that his team might live to regret not scoring more goals when the Absa Premiership title is decided.
“Championships are based on that. If you look at Spain, it has been neck-and-neck … but the format is that it is the points that matter most. Goal difference is one of the factors that come in in the end so when you factor it in, you regret the goals you miss,” said Komphela after his team’s industrious 1-0 win over Cape Town City at the weekend saw them rise to second – four points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We had a lot of chances which we missed. We could have won 2-0 or 3-0 if you look at the reflection of chances. It counts in the end. Yes, the priority is the points. You have banked points, can you now go for goals? We try.”
Komphela suggested that sometimes a team have to score a goal and not be adventurous but just shut the back door to ensure they secure the three points at the end of the match.
“Sometimes you can’t want to go for goals and drop the points. So we sometimes have to be happy with what we have and strive to improve on it. It is important to score goals,” he said.
Komphela said Amakhosi’s recent run is good but he resisted individual praise, saying it is part of a process but he is happy the fans are celebrating these days.
“For any coach at Chiefs, it should not be about you but the process and the game. There was a time in Germany where Dortmund were going through a terrible time but the support they enjoyed was amazing. It speaks to the question of do you play well and get them to come in? Or they come and support you to play well. It’s a question of the chicken and the egg – which came first? But I strongly believe our responsibility is to give great performances that everyone can enjoy.
“Looking at yourself comes second and you should never consider it. Look at working within the institution and do what it aspires to achieve. When supporters come and celebrate, it’s brilliant and it gives confidence to the players.”