Komphela ‘reluctant to respond’ on Kaizer Chiefs trophy question

Steve Komphela says AmaZulu were a handful in the Telkom Knockout. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix

Steve Komphela says AmaZulu were a handful in the Telkom Knockout. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix

Published Oct 29, 2017

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DURBAN – Kaizer Chiefs boss Steve Komphela didn’t want to commit himself when he was asked about the importance of clinching the Telkom Knockout.

Komphela is yet to deliver a trophy since his arrival at Amakhosi in 2015/16. He has reached two cup finals during his tenure, losing both of them.

He was hammered 3-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the Telkom Knockout in 2015.

Komphela was also humbled by Ajax Cape Town in the final of the MTN8.

Chiefs thumped AmaZulu 3-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in the last 16 clash of the Telkom Knockout on Saturday night, with George Maluleka, Hendrick Ekstein and Siphiwe Tshabalala all finding the back of the net.

Amakhosi are the most successful team in the competition, having won it a record 13 times. But they haven’t won the cup in seven years, having last triumphed in 2010.

Komphela is waiting to deliver his first piece of silverware as Chiefs coach.

“Any match for Chiefs is important and again in response to all the questions, one has to be very careful to what you say, what implications, and when you don’t say, what implications.

“If you downplay the fact that we have not been winning things, it is going to come across as otherwise. If you put it across against the question, it is opposite to that. I’m reluctant to respond.

“It is the same question that is being asked. At Chiefs, you have to win things. Winning matches is important, winning trophies is the utmost.

“Winning a trophy, you need to be winning these matches. The importance is so obvious,” Komphela cleverly ducked the question.

Chiefs haven’t won the cup in a while. The last time they lifted a trophy was back in 2015, with the MTN8 under Stuart Baxter.

“With regards to me, I’m trying to respond to the background. I’m a man of process. Any man of process must be selfless. As long as the process and path to the vision of the institution keeps being pushed, you are okay.

“Play your role up to until the level when they say ‘Okay, he has played his part’. It is all about the process, not the person.

“I would like to see Chiefs winning trophies every week, every month and every year, with or without me,” Komphela elaborated.

Chiefs continued their good run against AmaZulu in cup competitions. 

“I thought it was an entertaining match. You must be honest to acknowledge the fact that you came here knowing that this team have beaten the two strongest teams in the league.

“The minute you look at the set-up of their starting members, they had Mabhudi Khenyeza and Rhulani Manzini. We had to possess manpower.

“Indeed, they were a handful. The first goal little bit deflated them, but they kept on coming,” Komphela concluded. 

@Minenhlecr7

 

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