Zwane: credit has to go to Komphela
COACH: IT WAS BECAUSE OF HIM THAT WE PULLED THIS OFF
Young Chiefs see off Sundowns in Diski Shield final.
Kaizer Chiefs’ reserve team coach Arthur Zwane attributed the team’s success in the inaugural MultiChoice Diski Shield to former senior team head coach Steve Komphela after beating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in the final at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday.
The Chiefs youngsters were crowned champions following a five-game unbeaten run in the tournament, which saw them scoring 15 goals in the process.
“You might not see it now, but I am telling you that in two years’ time people will see what coach Steve Komphela has done for this club in terms of encouraging the youngsters and giving them confidence.
“Yes, things might not have worked well for him, but what he has done for this team is amazing. People might not see it now, but in future they will,” said the Chiefs mentor.
Amakhosi attacker Katlego Ntsabeleng, who was one of the scorers in the final and was named Man-of-the-Match, says their mission from the start of the competition was to lift the trophy.
“I can’t describe how I am feeling right now, but this is big for us and I am extremely happy with the way everyone in the team has played throughout the tournament.
“We showed in each and every game that we wanted to win the cup and we did it,” he continued.
“I might have been chosen the Man-of-the-Match, but I believe everyone in the team deserves to be the Man-of-the-Match. And again, this trophy is not just for us, it is for the whole Kaizer Chiefs team, family and the supporters at large. We are looking forward to the next season of the MDC and the Shield.”
Another factor that Ntsabeleng touched on regarding their ambition to lifting the Shield is to instill a culture of winning trophies into the junior teams and he added that they are glad they managed to do so in front of all the Chiefs teams, including the senior team who came to Makhulong to support them.
“We all know Chiefs are known for winning trophies and we had to make sure we started doing the same. Our Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 teams were also here to watch us and I am sure they will be inspired by our achievement.”