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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has reserved special praise for the defensive efforts of his team in the last couple of weeks.
In the five matches played over the past three weeks, Amakhosi have beaten Mamelodi Sundowns in the league and have also recorded Telkom Knockout wins over AmaZulu and Chippa United. The other two league games in that period have ended in draws against Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City.
And in the five-match block, the Glamour Boys have conceded only one goal, despite having several defenders sidelined with injury.
Another sterling defensive effort paved the way for a 1-0 TKO quarter-final victory over Chippa United on Sunday and saw Komphela crediting his team's commitment in defence.
"Very difficult match, it's a confirmation that this Chippa team are no pushovers. Compliments must be given to [Chippa coach] Teboho [Moloi] and his team. His team is fighting," Komphela said after the win in Port Elizabeth.
"But I must also compliment my people for the resilience and withstanding the pressure. We could have been swift on transitions. They were in attack and gave us the opportunity on the break.
"I must compliment this Chiefs team. The past four or
five matches we didn't concede except for the penalty we conceded against
Sundowns. It's clean sheets. And at the back of it, we were panicking that our
defenders are dropping [getting injured]."
