PLENTY AT STAKE
DEMAND BACK BY POPULAR
Komphela’s side seem to have put early woes behind them.
Aheadline on the Free State Stars website yesterday morning declared: Stars and (Kaizer) Chiefs in disappointing draw in the MDC (MultiChoice Diski Challenge). The headline came after Ea
Lla Koto and Amakhosi’s reserves played to a goalless draw at Goble Park on Sunday, but the fans will hope the seniors can provide better football when they meet up for an Absa Premiership clash at James Motlatsi Stadium tomorrow night.
Stars are desperate for positive results and are expected to give Chiefs a run for their money.
Ea Lla Koto recently parted ways with their coach Denis Lavagne and put Themba Sithole in charge, and he did fairly well in securing a draw away to SuperSport United in his first game in charge.
After the game, Sithole revealed that he would be leaving the position after the Chiefs game as his appointment was only temporary.
He also told the media he was not ready to take over the reins on a permanent basis.
“The team’s management are still looking for a coach. I will only be in charge until Wednesday (tomorrow). My duties as coach end on Wednesday. I am not yet ready for the job – that kind of pressure has its own special people,” said Sithole.
Amakhosi have finally found some form after a desperate run, having won two games on the trot without conceding – the first time this happened under Komphela.
The 49-year-old mentor knows not to get carried away, and said he hopes the two wins bring back much-needed confidence into his team. After all his team has had to battle for wins since he took over.
“This win will give us more confidence and will make us play with some fluidity. We will be a little stress-free in terms of how we do things because you think better when you aren’t under any pressure,” he said.
He was also happy with the clean sheets that he feels will give his defence some confidence: “They will tell you that strikers win you matches, but defenders win you championships,” said Komphela, though he was also quick to assure Chiefs fans: “I am not saying we are going to win the championship by just defending.”
Amakhosi needed a stoppage-time goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala to earn a 2-2 draw against Komphela’s former side when the sides met in a league match at Goble Park in May.
My duties as coach end on Wednesday. I am not yet ready for the job