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Steve Komphela’s appointment as Kaizer Chiefs coach has been met with mixed feelings by fans.
On the one hand, some fans are pleased that the club has finally appointed a local coach. Komphela is the first black Chiefs coach in 21 years.
But others point to his less-than-flattering record as a coach. The 47-year-old Komphela has a 36% win percentage, according to transfermarkt.com and the same loss percentage. In 46 matches in charge of Maritzburg United, he won 17 matches and lost 15. The team finished the 2014-2015 season in eighth place, their highest ever position in the Absa Premiership.
In his three-year stint as Free State Stars coach from 2010 to 2013, he managed a similar level of success. The club won 37, drew 31 and also lost 37 matches while he was in charge. They finished in strong positions in those three years – ninth in 2010-2011, sixth in 2011-2012 and seventh in 2012-2013.
But his time with the club in 2008-2009 was his best – he led them to 11 wins, nine draws and just two losses as they ended the season fourth.
His worst period came during his tenure as Platinum Stars coach. The team lost 17 of 30 matches, racking up just nine wins.
But like Komphela said in February 2013: “Statistics are like a bikini, they don’t reveal everything.”
And he has a point: the clubs he has managed don’t compare with the resources he has at his disposal at Chiefs. He has done well during his career, becoming one of the most respected coaches in local football.
Komphela has big shoes to fill. Taking over from Stuart Baxter won’t be easy, but Komphela will be eager to stamp his authority on the team. And he has the perfect opportunity as Chiefs build a new team following the departure of key players such as Itumeleng Khune, Tefu Mashamaite and Katlego Mphela.
He has the experience but he’ll need to get results quickly to please the fans or he could well find himself out in the cold before long. Amakhosi fans are used to winning silverware and Komphela will be expected to deliver.
Some fans fear he may be what David Moyes was to Manchester United. Only time will tell if he can prove his doubters wrong.
It was good of Kaizer Chiefs to appoint local coach, Steve Komphela.
— zane mdluli (@zmdluli) June 17, 2015@robertmarawa With Komphela's English, Kaizer Chiefs players would have to come with their dictionaries to the training ground.#SSFootball
— Ndlov' Enkulu (@mazigwe) June 17, 2015I am happy to see Kaizer Chiefs giving a black local coach, a chance. Finally. Congratulations to Steve Komphela
— Sicelo Dumakude (@SiceloDumakude) June 17, 2015If there's any coach who can put the first star on @Kaizer_Chiefs jersey,is Steve Komphela. Well come Home #KCInspire pic.twitter.com/ZTuU71I6Gj
— Nesane Ace Mashudu (@Acemashudu) June 17, 2015All the best to Steve Komphela. May he continue giving us what we're used to; victory!
— Gopolang M. Mametja (@Baqashoes_3) June 17, 2015Steve Komphela better win trophies at Kaizer Chiefs.
— Wellington (@King_Lona) June 17, 2015@Kaizer_Chiefs; Steve Komphela deserves to lead Chiefs. The man has worked so hard through the years. Fantastic Coach#KCInspire
— Senzo Memeza (@senzo_memeza) June 17, 2015@Kaizer_Chiefs I'm happy to have Steve Komphela as the new Coach. Surely more trophies are coming to Naturena
— Sonwabile Nxawe (@Tsoli07) June 17, 2015Hope Komphela doesn't become the psl's Moyes
— Leroy (@leroy_mp) June 17, 2015@TTM16 I think we Chiefs fans must give him a chance,I never gave Baxter a chance and he made me eat humble pie.
— Jabu Kubayi (@jabukubayi) June 17, 2015Steve Komphela to @Kaizer_Chiefs is the same thing as David Moyes to @ManUtd . From League Champions to CAF CONFED position challengers.
— #WelcomeKomphela (@welcomekomphela) June 17, 2015I dont know how i feel about Steve Komphela coaching Chiefs but il give him a chance to prove us wrong....
— SihleMthi' (@Chle_cee) June 17, 2015
