Cape Argus

Komphela dumps champion Brazilians for the Birds

- SMISO MSOMI SMISO.MSOMI@INL.CO.ZA

SWALLOWS FC made a shock announceme­nt yesterday that Steve Komphela will be the club’s new head coach.

The experience­d mentor is set to partner up with Musa Nyatama and Ditheko Mototo, who will both serve as his assistants.

“We want to take Swallows FC to the next level and we are very excited to have attracted the services of Coach Komphela. We appreciate the profession­al manner in which Mamelodi Sundowns FC managed these negotiatio­ns, Coach Musa Nyatama remains a special pillar of our team and his willingnes­s to learn and work closer with an experience­d Coach like Steve Khompela is highly appreciate­d,” read the statement.

The move by the Soweto club comes as a major surprise considerin­g they had previously awarded the top job to Nyatama after an impressive finish to the season which saw the club secure a top eight spot.

At the time it appeared as if Nyatama had reaped the rewards of his impressive stint at the helm as an interim coach and had been handed the job for at least one more season.

However, the club have instead roped in the hugely knowledgea­ble Komphela.

The 56-year-old has spent the last three seasons as part of the Sundowns technical team in the capacity of senior coach and assistant coach to, first, Pitso Mosimane, Manqoba Mngqithi and, most recently, Rhulani Mokwena.

During his time at the

Chloorkop club the Free Stateborn coach managed to get his hands on two league titles.

The Chairman of Sundowns, Tlhopie Motsepe, wished Komphela the best and thanked him for his services during his spell with the Brazilians.

“Komphela served Mamelodi Sundowns with loyalty and devotion and will always be a member of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family.

“We wish him everything of the best,” he said.

 ?? STEVE Komphela. | BackpagePi­x ??
STEVE Komphela. | BackpagePi­x

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