Komphela says Chiefs killed him but it made him stronger

Cape Town - Golden Arrows coach Steve Komphela says the experience of coaching Kaizer Chiefs was like dying a death though he has risen and become stronger for it.

Komphela spent three unsuccessful years at Chiefs from 2015 until 2018 during which time he failed to win a single trophy.

His time in charge of the Glamour Boys ended acrimoniously as he resigned following a pitch invasion in April 2018 after a Nedbank Cup semi-final loss to Free State Stars.

He has since been in charge of Bloemfontein Celtic and most recently Arrows - a period in which he has made both sides highly competitive.

However, the former Bafana Bafana defender is yet to win a trophy as a coach in his long career.

With that said, the Abafana Bes'thende mentor says he will never turn down the job to coach South Africa and added that his time at Chiefs makes him ready for any challenge.

He told reporters: "You couldn't miss that one? I think going for the national team is more of a service to the nation, it's a duty, it's like going for the army, you have no choice. Any citizen should pride themselves for such.

"If there's war and South Africa is facing an enemy and you are being called to serve, you should take pride because you are going to defend your colours. I think it should be pride to any coach, but we will cross that bridge if we get there. For now I will focus on Arrows.

"The minute you have a level of awareness for such then you know how to deal with it. In any environment with all teams where there's extreme pressure it does hit you, you need to find a way to bounce back.

"I was at Chiefs, I faced serious problems and challenges with so much pressure, which is natural. If you are afraid of pressure, get out of this job. You must know you will face fire and so go in there, don't ever think they are actually gunning for you, the position itself is gunned for, it's not personal.

"You could say there, God prepares you for those moments. I wouldn't be the same person I am if I didn't go to Chiefs. I'm dead now, not scared of anything, I feel nothing. Maybe I was preparing for something coming, not saying Bafana Bafana but I'm saying I can move anywhere."