‘FOR THE FANS’
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Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has no message for the Amakhosi supporters following the team’s humiliating 3-1 defeat to bitter rivals Orlando Pirates last weekend but hopes his players will have something for them when they host National First Division (NFD) side Stellenbosch FC in a Nedbank Cup match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tomorrow night.
The defeat not only hurt the supporters but it dented Amakhosi’s chances of stealing the Absa Premiership title and the Nedbank Cup is now technically the side’s only chance at silverware this season.
“The only message we can give is on the field. We must perform and win so the fans can be happy again. Whatever we say now won’t make any sense. We just have to win matches,” said Komphela yesterday.
Although history has nothing to do with tomorrow’s match, Chiefs’ fans will be worried as teams from the lower divisions have previously put the Glamour Boys to the sword in Ke Yona but should be comforted by the fact that they managed to beat Stellenbosch last year.
Komphela, however, knows that that counts for nothing and they will not be having a walk in the park in Durban tomorrow and said his side will have to bring their best game.
“For Chiefs it has never been easy. Even for other teams as well. Remember what happened with the likes of Maluti (FET College who beat Pirates a few years ago), Baroka FC (who beat Chiefs) when they were still in the NFD and many other teams. There has always been danger from teams from lower divisions. It’s never a walk in the park and we always have to dig deep for a win.
“The NFD is very competitive now. We watched them play Highlands Park recently and they are a good side,” said Komphela.
Asked if he has pinned his hopes of saving his job as Amakhosi mentor on winning Ke Yona, Komphela gave a typical response.
“It would be very nice for Kaizer Chiefs to win the Nedbank Cup for the fans rather than for Steve. It’s not about me but the fans. They love this team and they deserve something,” he said.