Back-to-back wins for Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs recorded only their second back-to-back league wins under coach Steve Komphela win the beat Maritburg United at the FNB Stadium. Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs recorded only their second back-to-back league wins under coach Steve Komphela win the beat Maritburg United at the FNB Stadium. Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Published Sep 24, 2016

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Kaizer Chiefs (2)2

Gordinho 19, Twala 45

Maritzburg United 0

Saturday night served as a reminder of how far back Amakhosi have fallen behind over a space of a season, spilling over into this new campaign. But it also showed glimpses of how they can claw their way back to the summit. Michelle Katsvairo and Hendrick Ekstein are warming up to their roles and will be key, but they need to step it up a notch if they’re to reach the level needed to guide a club to the league title.

While one of Chiefs’ rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns, was playing in the semifinal of the CAF Champions League and the other, Orlando Pirates, supposed to be involved in a top-of-the-league clash with Bidvest Wits before it was called off because of the students’ protest – Chiefs were searching for only their second back-to-back league wins under coach Steve Komphela.

Luckily for Komphela, he was against a Team of Choice that he knows how to beat. When Chiefs registered their first two wins in a row under him last season, the second victory was over Maritzburg at this venue in a match that produced five goals. There were goals once again, in front of orange seats with a sprinkling of fans who brought life to a sombre atmosphere that had engulfed Chiefs.

Their voices, along with the promise of Katsvairo to help Chiefs find the goals that eluded them last season, saw the club play with an extra bounce to their step. But it was nowhere near their swagger of two seasons ago. Chiefs passed the ball around comfortable against an opponent that sat back.

The pint-sized Ekstein managed to squeeze himself in between Maritzburg’s defenders as he gains confidence in being Chiefs’ playmaker. He also helped out in defence. Katsvairo, who was handed his first start by Komphela, showed why the coach wants to pin the scoring responsibilities on him. He might not have scored yesterday, but he troubled the Team of Choice and had a hand in the two goals. He won the corner kick that resulted in Lorenzo Gordinho heading Chiefs into the lead from a sweet delivery by George Lebese. Katsvairo also came up with the chip, to set-up William Twala one-on-one with Virgil Vries. Twala made no mistake, pouncing on the opportunity.

The two-goal cushion gave Komphela some reprieve, as he even sat on the bench in the second half. Before that, he was pacing in his technical area, conducting things. But lately he has been like a conductor with a broken baton. He sounds like a stuck record on Chiefs’ frailties upfront, while he has failed to make them produce sweet music, forcing their fans to sing the blues. Last night there was a small spark of change, which he needs to ignite if Chiefs are to return to being in the level of their arch-rivals.

It was like the DJ also saw it because after both goals he played We Them Boys, reminding Amakhosi who they are – two seasons after blowing away everyone in their path. A season ago they were blown away by the slightest of winds. That’s why Komphela had a hint of caution in his approach, bringing in centreback Daniel Cardoso in the hour mark to bolster their defence. He sacrificed the attack-minded Lebese. Komphela also brought on the experienced Siphiwe Tshabalala later to calm things down and then added more steel in Lucky Baloyi. This is a project that’s still a work in progress, but there two back-to-back wins, with the other coming from Highlands Park, will bring some stability to lay the foundation.

Independent Media

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