Komphela at Wits end as he searches for elusive silverware

IT’S an open secret that a trophy for Steve Komphela will change how his tenure as Kaizer Chiefs coach has been measured to date.

Now in his third season, the Amakhosi coach is still searching for that elusive piece of silverware and is again just two matches away from getting the monkey off his back following two barren campaigns that have lost him admirers and added to his list of detractors.

Chiefs face the reigning Absa Premiership champions Bidvest Wits in the semifinals of the Telkom Knockout on Saturday and Komphela is aware that his career probably hinges on a successful spell at Naturena, although he is at times too diplomatic to admit it.

“Honestly, even with a favourable outcome I still think it (the cup) belongs to the process, not myself. But in owning up as part of leadership, if the result is not favourable you still have to stand up and face again the music. It’s part of life. When it is sweet, let’s share. When it is sour, take it.” said Komphela yesterday.

Ahead of every massive encounter for Chiefs, the coach’s credentials have often come into question. For some time now he has been labelled as an underachiever by the club supporters and neutrals who have been so used to seeing the Glamour Boys collect trophies. Chiefs were the league title holders when he was appointed prior to the 2015-16 season, for instance. But they have not won anything since, and Komphela risks his time at the club being reflected as only a footnote if he walks away having shown nothing for it except maybe the three cup finals, which all ended with Chiefs on the losing side.

“We will go into the match and try to apply ourselves and defend properly. We know how Wits play, and (coach) Gavin Hunt is not doing well at the moment, but they are still a formidable team with all the players that won them the championship,” said Komphela.

“Maybe we can exploit some weaknesses they have. It’s not going to be easy, but we just have to be careful that we go in there, acknowledge their strength, but give them a hell of a match.”

The Chiefs coach might also be forced to make a call on goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who suffered a facial injury the last time he played for the club two weeks ago. Desperate to represent Bafana Bafana in a must-win 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal in Polokwane, Khune was cleared to play with a face mask in the first game, but did not have use it again on Tuesday night in Dakar.

Khune also only arrives back in the country this afternoon and will have just one training session at Chiefs on Friday.

“They are all ready (reserve goalkeepers), the only thing we are happy about is the fact that he (Khune) played without a mask. What we are worried about, even for Shabba (Siphiwe Tshabalala) and Tower (Mulomowandau Mathoho), is asking whether they would have recovered. It is taxing to travel throughout Africa, but there is nothing you can do about it.”