Beleaguered Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Steve Komphela came into the defence of the club’s football manager Bobby Motaung following their 3-0 loss to Chippa United at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
A section of the club’s fans chanted Motaung’s name, with some calling him out to come an answer for the mess they had witnessed. Some used vulgar language towards Motaung who was sitting on the VIP stands with his father and Chiefs’ chairman Kaizer Motaung.
Angry Chiefs fans throwing objects towards coach Steve Komphela and players leaving the field after their loss to Chippa. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
“It’s just unfortunate. Bobby doesn’t play. Bobby isn’t a coach. It’s the responsibility of us sport people on the field to own up. I don’t know why they did that,” Komphela said.
Those fans didn’t only chant Motaung’s name. They also chanted “Steve Must Go!” before throwing missiles onto the pitch as the coach left. Chiefs’ fans were pushed to the edge by the club’s worst performance this season which saw them suffer their heaviest defeat in a campaign where their defence was their best arsenal.
Kaizer Chiefs players dash for cover as angry fans threw objects onto the field after their loss to Chippa United. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
“One has to concede that it was a bad result, a terrible result for us,” Komphela said. “How it came about is just clear, whatever you say would be reasons with regards to how the match unfolded. Congratulations to (Chippa coach, Vladislav) Heric and his team. They took advantage of the chances that they had. They were effective on their counter-attacking game which paid out in the end. With regards to us, from a body language point of view – we didn’t look okay.”
“We looked lethargic, one has to admit that. What could be the reasons, you never know. Could it be that we played three matches in seven days? The traveling (takes a toll on players). But it shouldn’t come across as an excuse from us. We just have to own up and accept that we didn’t deliver on the day. With regards to chances, I believe that we did get enough chances. We should have scored. There are two that came from (Dumisani) Zuma that I remember. There are two that came from (Ryan) Moon and one from Shabba (Siphiwe). If you don’t convert them, they count for nothing. It was a bad day for us. We could have done better. It wasn’t easy, losing Rama (Ramahlwe Mphahlele). After losing Rama, losing Teenage (Hadebe) and then (Mulomowandau) Mathoho. We ended up playing a man down without getting any red card. We had to take precautionary measures with regards to Mathoho who suffered a concussion.”