One step at a time, says Komphela

KAIZER Chiefs fans appeared more bothered with coach Steve Komphela’s decision to substitute midfielder Pule Ekstein with eight minutes on the clock than with the fact that Amakhosi are playing catch-up as the title race hots up.

It would have made more sense to applaud Komphela’s tactical move to bring on George Maluleka to protect their 3-1 lead over Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, than to voice their displeasure at seeing Ekstein, who has become a fan favourite, leave the pitch.

Komphela is on a mission to guide Chiefs to the top of the table for the first time this season, and a much-needed victory against a tricky Arrows side went a long way in approaching that milestone.

The gap at the top, before log leaders Platinum Stars hosted Wits in Rustenburg last night, was a mere point. However, Dikwena have a game in hand and have been the more consistent side in the Premier League in this campaign.

The Chiefs coach said he took no offence when his 82ndminute change incited boos because he was delighted for the nimble-footed Ekstein, who has featured more prominently in the reserve league than in the first team.

But Komphela was also quick to point out that Amakhosi are running their own race, and still have their eyes on the main prize – the Premiership title.

“The only time we will close this gap is when we eventually play these matches and win them,” said Komphela, whose side has collected 17 points from 10 games.

“That is our highest ambition. My only wish is that these games should come at a rate where we can plan for them and win them. And we don’t look at somebody else’s race, we run our own. We know this is a marathon, and we are keeping in our lane.”

He would have been a bit more confident in his men after beating Arrows, a team that seemed more of a threat in the build-up than they actually were on the night. Komphela was fresh from a 3-1 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Orlando Pirates three days earlier, and was desperate to return to winning ways.

The former Free State Stars mentor did not acknowledge how impressive Dikwena have been, but, to be fair, he was not asked to.

“Sometimes, you tend to lose focus looking at other people and not minding your own business. But I think for now we are okay. And will take it one step at a time. It is more of a gradual process towards the end of the season,” Komphela said.

The coach will hope his decision to rest Siboniso Gaxa, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, captain Siphiwe Tshabalala and Camaldine Abraw pays off when Chiefs face Pirates in a Telkom Knockout semi-final on Saturday.

With matches coming in thick and fast, managing any squad is pivotal – but so is winning important matches.