THE BACKPAGE phakaaathi.co.za ‘Blame us, not Steve’
KHUNE: CHIEFS KEEPER HOPES THEY CAN PUT UNHAPPY TIME BEHIND THEM
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has admitted that the team failed to adapt to former coach Steve Komphela’s style of play, which led to a three-year dry run in terms of meaningful silverware.
Komphela was forced to resign after the supporters rioted following a disastrous showing by the side in a Nedbank Cup semifinal defeat to Free State Stars in May.
Khune is, however, hoping that it is now water under the bridge as they look for a fresh start under Giovanni Solinas who was officially announced as Komphela’s replacement on Friday.
“It’s a fresh start. We are happy that we have a coach now. It was as worrying for the players as it was for the fans,” said Khune at the weekend.
“Solinas is a very good coach. When he was introduced to us on Friday night he told us what his philosophy was, what he wanted from us and how he wants to play. He is not that different from the coaches we have had.
“But every coach has their own way of doing things. We will respect it and we will adjust to it. What we want is results and to turn things around.
“We have been under pressure for the past three seasons and we are aware we have to change the situation.
“It is important to get results and also play entertaining football while winning trophies, which is a culture at Chiefs. We don’t want to be known as a generation who set the wrong records of not winning anything,” said Khune.
Chiefs now face Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday in the inaugural Shell Helix Ultra Cup.