Steve Komphela has called for calm following Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 opening round Absa Premiership defeat to title rivals Bidvest Wits on Tuesday, but accepts that several mistakes were made in a game that should have probably set the tone for the rest of the season.
The coach who is in his second year with Amakhosi is desperate to improve on a barren first campaign and going down to the Clever Boys has brought back fresh criticism from fans that Komphela will again struggle to compete for silverware.
Wits were the complete contrast in the way they approached the match in their own backyard, pressing and proving to be far superior to their opponents as they powered their way to their first three points of the season.
“You don’t win the league through the first match,” said Komphela after the clash played at a packed Bidvest Stadium. “Any loss is disappointing, but I thought we didn’t play (well) tonight and we allowed them to press and we were reluctant to impose our game plan. We also allowed them to keep the ball too much in the air. It is only towards the end, when we said let’s bring the ball to the ground, which is our strength, that we got better.”
Wits registered the opener shortly after half-an-hour of the match had been played through an exquisite finish from Elias Pelembe who found space behind the Chiefs defence to connect with a beautifully delivered pass from left-back Sifiso Hlanti. They added a second in the 65th minute, almost in similar fashion, although it was captain Thulani Hlatshwayo who got on the end of Daine Klate’s corner on that occasion. Chiefs pulled one back with only eight minutes left on the clock when defender Lorenzo Gordinho headed home.
The scoreline flattered Chiefs a little for it was Wits who were winning all the physical battles in what was mostly a one-sided match. Gavin Hunt, coach of the Clever Boys, started four of his new players, while Komphela only fielded one of his 10 fresh faces at Naturena - a huge surprise given how poorly they finished last season.
“I thought the team had been training extremely well, and it is the same team that played well in the Carling Black Label Cup (2-0 win over Orlando Pirates) and there were no signs they could play like this,” said Komphela. “I am sure we had three or four of our members who were not on form, and there is no team that could have three or four players who are not ticking and win a match. It’s worse when you are playing a team like Wits, who were very committed, aggressive and played with more purpose.”
Hunt was reserved in his post-match comments; an attempt to avoid getting carried away with the result. But Wits really were impressive and last season’s runners-up showed they will again be a strong contender for the championship.
“A game like this we would have drawn or lost last season. We lost twice to Chiefs last season, even though I felt we were better,” Hunt said. “We are trying to play the way that suits the players and I thought we were excellent.
“In the time that I have been here we have never really had competition, and now we do. I took off (Eleazar) Rodgers and brought on (Cuthbert) Malajila, my goodness.”
The two teams will be in action again this weekend in the quarter-finals of the MTN8, with Chiefs away to Cape Town City tomorrow night and Wits hosting Pirates a day later.
“ Meanwhile City started their maiden Premiership season with a 2-0 win over Polokwnae City at home. NFD champions Baroka FC drew 1-1 with Ajax Cape Town. - The Star
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