I ’ M UP TO THE TASK, SAYS CHIEFS COACH
Komphela takes on SA’s biggest
STEVE Komphela will remain curious and hungry to learn, taking a step up into the uncomfortable to improve himself as a coach at Kaizer Chiefs, the new Amakhosi boss said when presented to the media yesterday.
Komphela tried to convince a packed press conference at a freezing Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena that he was far more comfortable on a training field.
The coach said it was a new environment he had stepped into from what he was used to at Maritzburg United, who Komphela has left with a year remaining on his contract, where he was used to a handful of journalists attending media briefings.
Komphela said he accepted the Chiefs job, replacing Stuart Baxter, to take himself out of a comfort zone by coaching a big club – he ’ s taken on SA ’ s biggest.
“Football needs curiosity. Without it you go nowhere and it is only through curiosity that you learn,” Komphela rapped to a spellbound audience.
“This is a massive opportunity and there are going to be massive challenges, and I have to be ready for that.
“’I m looking forward to smelling the grass, donning that gold and black training shirt. That ’ s where I make peace. As for this [press conference], I ’ m a bit uncomfortable. My comfort is on the field.”
Chiefs have signed Komphela on a three-year contract. “But that is just a number, ” said Amakhosi chairman Kaizer Motaung. “We probably want him for as long as he can have the appetite to do the job.”
Motaung said there would be no other changes to the technical team.
Baxter, who joined Turkish club Genclerbirligi as technical director last month, won two league and cup doubles in three seasons.
Komphela admitted the challenge at Chiefs will be massive.
“I cannot make remarks without acknowledging the success of the previous season – it was unbelievable, ” he said.
“Some might ask, ‘ why then move into a lion ’ s den?’ As a local boy, coming into arguably the best team in Africa will be a challenge.
“The comfort comes from the wisdom of the chairman. He has amazing wisdom selecting coaches.”
Komphela coached the national Under-23 side and was assistant to Baxter as Bafana Bafana coach in 2004 and 2005.
“Some might ask, why then
move into a lion s den?