Chiefs star Shaba backs coach Komphela to stay at the helm

KAIZER CHIEFS coach Steve Komphela reached two cup finals in his maiden season with the club, but his players did not deliver as they lost both.

The second year was a case of déjà vu, and he is hoping it will be third time lucky with the league title still in sight, although log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have stretched the gap to seven points with 10 matches to go.

The Nedbank Cup, in which Chiefs progressed to the last 16, and will face Stellenbosch United later this month, is also still up for grabs.

“When we win trophies we will keep him (Komphela) here,” said veteran midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala (pictured). “It is not desperation, but it is the situation that we currently find ourselves in. But at the moment we are not thinking about that. For us to show our love and support for the coach, we have to win trophies. I think that is the only thing that is missing.”

Tshabalala argued that Amakhosi were a work in progress.

But Komphela’s detractors expect him to finally deliver or risk being remembered as one of the more unsuccessful Chiefs coaches.

Even in the years that they were not winning the championship, the Glamour Boys have always made it a habit to at least clinch one of the domestic cups.

“Apart from not winning the trophies he has done very well for the club – producing young players and putting a good team together, one that can compete,” said Tshabalala. “It is up to us to fight for him on the pitch and bring silverware.”

And it will be important to keep up the fight against a City side with the same number of points (31) and looking to sneak in as surprise title challengers.

“We know it will be tough and open because they want to play. We also want to play. I don’t think they will come here for a point. This is the last lap and each and every point counts,” the midfielder explained.