DURBAN – Steve Komphela doesn’t like to be complimented but he prefers being lambasted. The Bloemfontein Celtic boss described himself as someone who thrives under pressure.
Celtic were beaten 3-0 by AmaZulu on Wednesday in an Absa Premiership tussle at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi. Emiliano Tade notched up a brace and Siyabonga Nomvethe added the third goal for Usuthu. The poetic, Komphela, told the media after the game that he prefers peace than joy.
“I hate being complimented. I just love to be lambasted. The only way you grow, it is when you are put through fire. I love fire. I love condemnation. I love refute. I love all these nasty things that people say because the very same person who says nasty things is suffering the same syndrome and they are now taking that and transferring that to you,” Komphela explained.
Komphela came under fire during his tenure with Kaizer Chiefs where he failed to deliver the silverware in three years.
“When someone says something nasty to you, they are just reflecting the nastiness in themselves. I just love that because when they just start saying all these negatives, I just understand who this person.
“They compliment but take it with the utmost humility. Don’t bask in the glory of the compliment. It is just joy not peace. There’s a huge difference between joy and peace. Joy is now instant and it will be nice and it will pass but when you have a peace of mind, you are enjoying your life. I prefer peace than joy,” he added.
Steven Komphela speaks to the media following the match between AmaZulu and Bloemfontein Celtic at King Zwelithini Stadium. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
Celtic are 6th on the log with 21 points after 13 games. They are six points behind the leaders, Orlando Pirates.
“We can’t be satisfied. When there are possibilities and chances to get better, why settle for less. We could have fought for this three points and go to Highlands Park, get three, go to Cape Town City (and get another three points). You can’t be comfortable because you have challenges.
You to give your best. What is available has got to be taken. You can’t be satisfied. There’s still a lot of football to be played. Some of the teams have played 15 games and we have played 13 games. We still have two games to go and there’s a lot that will happen,” Komphela said.
He discarded Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in some of the teams that plays vigilant football in the league.
“As long as you play well, you will be the happiest man. I think in my opinion without being arrogant, Bloemfontein Celtic, AmaZulu, Chippa United and Orlando Pirates are playing good football. Chippa are playing good football and Pirates does play good football.
There are four or five teams that’s play good football in South Africa and Bloemfontein Celtic is among them.“ Komphela said.