CHIEFS LIVING UP TO THEIR NAME AGAIN
Back-to-back victories have put a smile back on Komphela’s face and the fans are looking much happier, too
THE WIN, to make it only the second backto-back victories Kaizer Chiefs have recorded in the Absa Premiership in Steve Komphela’s era, might have been sweet for the coach. But the reaction from the supporters was even sweeter.
The fans, who have called for Komphela’s sacking several times, sang with the players after the 2-0 win over Maritzburg United on Saturday at FNB Stadium. That win showed where Chiefs are going under Komphela, with glimpses of a side that can do better than what they did last season during which they meekly surrendered the league title.
Michelle Katsvairo showed what he can do with his intelligent runs, ability to hold the ball and make his team play. Hendrick Ekstein is also starting to look the part of a playmaker, leading an Amakhosi choir that is in need of a conductor. It’s those signs that had Chiefs fans believing things might change.
“Beyond IQ, you have EQ – emotional intelligence, where you don’t get carried away,” Komphela said. “When you lose, you don’t lose your sense of calmness because you still have to inspire the players and you have to speak in a manner that those you have let down, the supporters, understand how it came about. When you win, you don’t look back and say I am seeking revenge.” There wasn’t a hint of arrogance in Komphela’s voice when he spoke about the small turnaround – even when Chiefs’ corporate com- munications manager Vina Maphosa said if he was in the coach’s shoes, he wouldn’t talk about Amakhosi chasing the pack but instead refer to the club as the leader of the pack.
“You still need to maintain some sense of humility,” Komphela said. “All that you do is to say, ‘good victory, nice’. When you see them singing with the players, this is what we want. This chemistry must be reinforced. We need to be united. The minute we are united, then it will be us against the (rest of the) PSL (clubs).
“We don’t want to see our team not being in touch in terms of chemistry with our fans. We are one big family. When you see them get together and sing, then you understand that we have unified them (players and fans).”
A united Chiefs will look to make it three wins in a row for the first time under Komphela when they take on Free State Stars at James Motlasi Stadium in Orkney on Wednesday. Ea Lla Koto held SuperSport United goalless in Themba Sithole’s first match as interim coach after Denis Lavagne was fired for losing the dressing-room. Sithole knows Komphela well from their days in Bethlehem just like Komphela knows Sithole well. It will be a Chiefs finding their way going forward against a resilient Stars. Komphela heads into that match in a better mood.
“This win will give us more confidence and will make us play with more fluidity,” he said. “We will be a little bit stress-free in terms of how we do things because you think better when you aren’t under any pressure ... it will help us in the long run.”
The glimpses that appeared against the Team of Choice hinted at what could be a turning point for Amakhosi with even the defence getting to understand each other to keep a second successive clean sheet. But Komphela was philosophical when quizzed if the result was a turning point .
“I wish I could tell what the weather would be tomorrow,” he said. “But I can only pray that it becomes a sunny day.”