Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela’s new look is such a hit, coinciding with the club’s 10-match unbeaten run, that some Amakhosi fans took offence when he didn’t complete the look on Saturday night.
Komphela has ditched the Chiefs suit and yellow tie for a more colourful and snazzy look, sporting various designer shirts, a chino and brown shoes, which he completes with a jersey that he loosely ties around his neck.
The joke is that the look has inspired Chiefs’ unbeaten run that’s stretched to 10 matches in all competitions.
The logical reason for that unbeaten run is that Amakhosi finally have a strong bench that can turn things around, and also pushes that starting XI to work even harder, knowing that there is a capable replacement on the bench.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela’s wardrobe change has coincided with his team’s unbeaten run. Photo: Aubrey Kgakatsi/BackpagePix
But for the superstitious, it’s down to Komphela’s look, which is why some took offence with him not draping his jersey around his neck in the first half of the goalless draw with Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday, putting it on his seat instead.
“Hhey ndoda, don’t even ask that one,” Komphela said in response to what has inspired the new look.
“It’s amazing because when I was coming out of the pitch at halftime, I saw them (Chiefs’ fans) screaming at me and they are our people, so I hear them: ‘Hhey’ man, put on ijersey! Put on ijersey!’
“It’s amazing how it works because you are killing their confidence if you don’t have it, and God forbid if the outcome of the match isn’t what it has been, they would say it’s because I didn’t put on the jersey.
“To be honest, it has nothing to do (with the results). It happened accidentally (that the moment I changed my look, we haven’t lost a game).
“But if the Almighty says put on the cross (he said while motioning on the jersey tied around his neck), then I will keep putting on the cross.
“If they say they want a cross, so be it. If my principals give authority, I will keep doing it because there is no harm in that, as long as you are presentable and are standing there like a Chiefs coach – respecting their people, administration and football.”
Amakhosi faithfuls will hope Komphela’s look “helps” Chiefs continue their unbeaten run in their clash with rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday at FNB Stadium.
The match is a direct shoot-out for the two Soweto giants, who are chasing Mamelodi Sundowns in the league race.