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It’s touch and go

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Steve Komphela is under pressure to turn things around. (Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix)
Steve Komphela is under pressure to turn things around. (Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix)

Johannesburg - A week after President Jacob Zuma asked National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams to make representations as to why he should not be placed on suspension pending the outcome of an inquiry into his fitness to hold office, some clubs must be tempted to do the same thing to their coaches.

Some clubs have already parted ways with their underperforming coaches.

And it would not come as a shock if more club bosses pulled the trigger as well.

It will be a bleak Christmas for the likes of Steve Komphela, Cavin Johnson and Dan Malesela as they fight for survival in the Absa Premiership.

Chiefs might have lost only twice in the league so far, but daggers are already out for Komphela.

Few Chiefs supporters could hide their disappointment on Wednesday night following Amakhosi’s 1-all draw with SuperSport United.

They shouted “Steve must fall” as he made his way into the tunnel.

Amakhosi have now gone four league games without a win and the gap ­between them and log leaders Bidvest Wits is now four points, with the ­Students having played two fewer games.

Chiefs’ next five games before the Christmas break could determine ­Komphela’s future at Naturena.

First, he will come up against a side that knocked him out of the MTN8 competition earlier in the season, Cape Town City, on Tuesday. Eric Tinkler’s side has made big strides so far and will be looking to add to Komphela’s woes.

Johnson at Platinum Stars also faces a bleak future. Winning two matches in nine should be cause for concern.

And Malesela is skating on thin ice at Chippa United after going six without a win. Not so long ago, he was the toast of Nelson Mandela Bay, but he has since lost his mojo.

The big question is: Who will follow the likes of Ernst Middendorp?

The former Maritzburg United became the latest on the growing list of coaches who have already fallen by the wayside, which includes Roger De Sá, Muhsin Ertugral, Serame Letsoaka, Allan Freese and Denis Lavagne.

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Fixtures
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC
Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs
Athlone Stadium
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Stellenbosch FC
Stellenbosch FC
Royal AM
Royal AM
Danie Craven Stadium
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows
Richards Bay
Richards Bay
Mpumalanga Stadium
SuperSport
Results
Tue 12 Mar 24
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns 1
SuperSport United
SuperSport United 1
Sun 10 Mar 24
Royal AM
Royal AM 2
Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC 0
Sun 10 Mar 24
Polokwane City
Polokwane City 0
Golden Arrows
Golden Arrows 1
Logs
Team
P
W
PTS
Team Logo
1. Mamelodi Sundowns
18
14
46
Team Logo
2. Orlando Pirates
20
9
33
Team Logo
3. SuperSport United
20
9
33
Team Logo
4. Stellenbosch FC
19
9
32