Steve’s concern as Chiefs blow it

Steve Komphela’s main worry following Kaizer Chiefs’ Nedbank Cup defeat to SuperSport United on Saturday evening is whether his team will be able to recover and pick up the pieces and move on.

The Amakhosi coach is hoping the defeat did not do much damage to his team’s spirit as they still have the Absa Premiership to play for this season.

Chiefs lost 5-3 on penalties after the match at FNB Stadium ended 1-1, with Jeremy Brockie scoring for Matsatsantsa while Ramahlwe Mphahlele forced the match into extra time, equalising 10 minutes from time.

Komphela’s team had a penalty saved in extra time when Reyaad Pieterse saved Bernard Parker’s kick. “Had we converted that penalty we would be talking a different ball-game altogether,” said Komphela of the missed chance.

“But we can’t make excuses… when you miss such chances, they always come back to haunt you,” he added.

The defeat reminded Komphela of the devastating effects of a Telkom Knockout final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last season.

“I remember last season when we missed two penalties in the Telkom Knockout final. You never recover, it knocks your confi- dence,” said Komphela.

Chiefs now have only the Absa Premiership to fight for to avoid finishing a second season without a trophy, which is unheard of at Naturena.

The team’s exit from Ke Yona is bound to put the spotlight back on Komphela and he admitted it is going to be a challenge to get the team to dust themselves off.

“The main challenge going forward will be realigning the thinking, the focus and the confidence… which is very important,” he said.

“We have to shape up, fortunately with the same team. The next match gives us the opportunity to rectify the mistakes committed today.”