Komphela named new Maritzburg coach

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 30: Steve Komphela during the Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Free State Stars at Lucas Moripe Stadium on April 30, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 30: Steve Komphela during the Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Free State Stars at Lucas Moripe Stadium on April 30, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published Jan 6, 2014

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Durban – Steve Komphela has been appointed new Maritzburg United coach, three days after the axing of predecessor Clinton Larsen, the club announced on Monday.

“Steve Komphela comes with a wealth of experience, having been part of the South African national teams as well as coaching Manning Rangers, Platinum Stars and lastly, he was in charge of Free State Stars,” club chairman Farook Kadodia said.

“The club believes the acquisition of Steve will be of value both to the leadership of its team and as a good brand ambassador for Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands.”

The 46-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Premiership strugglers and was unveiled at a hastily arranged press conference in Pietermaritzburg on Monday.

He joins after parting ways with Free State Stars at the start of last month following their own troubled start to the season.

Larsen had been sacked by United last Friday after winning only one match in a stint which had lasted just 79 days.

“As early as 2005, the club had aspirations of making Maritzburg the home for Steve, however, national team issues meant that Komphela had to cut his stay short after two weeks as he had to return to Safa,” Kadodia said.

“We are proud to welcome him to the club and he will assume his work with the team immediately after meeting the players today.”

United went into the festive-season break three points off the bottom of the table, in 14th place, and finding themselves in a relegation scrap. – Sapa

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