Avatar photo

By Sibongiseni Gumbi

Football Writer


Seventh draw increases pressure on embattled Chiefs coach

Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela was left to try and give reasons, or excuses if you may, for his side's poor finishing up front.


Chiefs played to yet another draw with Saturday night’s match against Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida in Durban ending in a 1-1 draw.

This was Amakhosi’s seventh draw against three wins and two defeats which by the club’s standards can be best described as a poor return.

Komphela said the problem was a countrywide phenomenon and quoted Orlando Pirates mentor who last week lamented poor finishing in South Africa, saying he had been to over 130 countries and this was the worst he has ever seen.

READ: Komphela admits Chiefs future is on thin ice

“Some people will tell you that goal-scorers are born that way,” he said. Komphela also felt his midfield could do better with their supply so that the likes of Gustavo Paez can get better chances.

“I thought at the beginning we were seeing some of his (Paez) good touches.

“Inasmuch as he breaks the lines, sometimes the ball carrier is put under pressure and doesn’t give good passes but it is reality that we need to see him earlier and understand his movements. We will get to that level.

READ: SuperSport boss survives attempted hijacking ordeal

“I can highlight that as a coach but theory and practice are two different things. I can make presentations on it but the pressure of the match is different and players go back to their natural instincts. We just have to keep working on it,” added the 50-year-old mentor.

Komphela also admitted that Ea Lla Koto proved to be a hard nut to crack for his side.

“If I was to summarise the match based on how I feel, I would fail dismally. I have to be more rational,” he said.

“We came up against a good team. We saw how they shaped their attacking three … We did create chances and we could have gone into half-time with something.

“A draw – we will have to take it but we didn’t expect it based on how we played.”

READ: Chiefs set to axe Komphela after cup exit?

Access premium news and stories

Access to the top content, vouchers and other member only benefits