Ahead of one of the most energy-sapping fixtures of the season this Saturday, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has lauded his recently assembled technical team - particularly the fitness department headed by Brazilians Marco Aurelio Munhoz - for being second to none in his opinion as Amakhosi prepare to take on rivals Orlando Pirates.
The Glamour Boys have recovered from an early slump in their 2016/17 campaign and are currently enjoying a five-match winning streak in all competitions, a vastly better record than their Soweto counterparts, who finally ended a string of draws when they beat Golden Arrows in the Telkom Knockout opening round tie at the weekend following three successive stalemates in the Absa Premiership. Komphela argued that there were various reasons for Chiefs being on form after a poor start with a defeat away to Bidvest Wits in their first match of the season on August 23, which was followed by another loss to Cape Town City in the MTN8 a few days later.
Komphela came under some criticism for requesting wholesale changes to his technical team in June, this after his maiden season at the club did not yield much in terms of success on the trophy front as they ended the campaign without silverware and relinquished their championship to Mamelodi Sundowns. The coach also replaced his assistant, Doctor Khumalo, with former Ghanaian international John Paintsil, a player he had worked with at Maritzburg United as the former Fulham defender was nearing retirement two years ago. In fact, Paintsil was appointed Chiefs assistant coach just a few weeks after announcing in his home country that he would be hanging up his boots, and he arrived at the same time as new fitness guru Munhoz as well as goalkeeper coach, another Brazilian, Alexandre Revoredo, who had a stint at Pirates in the past.
“I wouldn’t say they are my technical team,” said Komphela, in his efforts to avoid taking credit for what was then seen as drastic changes at the beginning of the season. “We are for Chiefs. The changes that had been made, were from a collective point of view. But one can point at the level of our team readiness, technically and even physically. I think physically we are very strong. I have seen many matches where we would go on and on with high intensity and the opponent would not cope.”
Amakhosi endured 120 minutes of cup football on Saturday night in a stop-start game due to adverse weather conditions at FNB Stadium, but soldiered on to win 4-2 on penalties against Maritzburg to progress to the quarter-finals of the Telkom Knockout.
“It was a tough match to play because of the weather and going all the way to extra-time and penalties, but I didn’t see any signs of fatigue and to me, that is a plus from the people who have come in to help, including the players as well to say they are beginning to understand their responsibility. But it’s more credit to Chiefs (management) than to any of my staff and players,” Komphela added.
Amakhosi are currently joint top of the table with Arrows - who could pull clear on Friday night if they beat their Maritzburg opponents - after six matches, a big boost leading up to the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium. Kick-off is 3.30pm.
Follow Mazola Molefe on Twitter@superjourno
The Star