CAPE TOWN – The future doesn’t look too rosy for Steve Komphela as Kaizer Chiefs coach, but he seems to have achieved a stay of execution until the end of the season at least.
This comes after the disastrous 3-0 home defeat to Chippa United at the FNB Stadium, which resulted in fans venting their anger by pelting the players and technical team with objects, and chanting “Steve Must Go!”, as well as blaming Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung.
The Amakhosi announced late on Tuesday afternoon that a meeting was held between Motaung, the technical team and the players on Sunday morning to discuss the Chippa defeat.
The main outcome is that while Chiefs “are looking to have a complete overhaul of the team before the commencement of the new season”, the club said that “at this stage, circumstances do not permit for us to make immediate changes”.
That means Komphela and his technical team will remain in charge until the end of the season.
“They reflected on the performances of the season and acknowledged that the season has not been up to the Kaizer Chiefs standards,” the club said of the five-hour meeting.
“Following that meeting, the management team met to further discuss and review the matter holistically and plan for the next few games of the current season.
During the review, we noted that we bolstered the team and brought some good players, but things have not gone our way.
“It is important for our supporters to note that as management, we are listening to their concerns and share the pain.
“One of the notable decisions from the meeting is that decisive changes will have to be implemented at the end of the season to remedy the situation.
“At this stage, circumstances do not permit for us to make immediate changes.
“However, we are looking to have a complete overhaul of the team before the commencement of the new season.”
Angry Chiefs fans throwing objects at Steve Komphela and players leaving the field. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
With regards to the throwing of objects, Chiefs have met with the organisers of the match, and are appealing for calm from their fans ahead of the remaining league and Nedbank Cup games.
“In the interim, we appeal to the supporters for calm and patience as there is still a lot to play for in the league and the Nedbank Cup.
“We believe that there is a lot to fight for as the team is in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup, and there is a possibility of qualification for one of the continental competitions.
“Regardless of how dire the situation is, in the next few weeks, we sincerely appeal for calm, patience and good behaviour from supporters. We have to avoid endangering other supporters’ lives and the team.
“As we move to the last few matches of the current season, we really need your undivided support and assure you that decisive changes will happen before the new season to remedy the situation.”
@ashfakmohamed
IOL Sport