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Cape Town - Former Kazier Chiefs striker Pollen Ndlanya believes under-fire coach Steve Komphela deserves more time at the Soweto giants.
Amakhosi are currently facing a season without silverware as they trail Mamelodi Sundowns by 13 points in the Premiership and recently lost to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 - which follows their early season cup final losses in the MTN8 and Telkom Knock-out compeitions.
Komphela who took over the reigns from Stuart Baxter at the beginning of the season has winning ratio of 53% in the 32 games he's overseen, and the former Bafana Bafana coach has come under severe scrutiny from the club's loyal fans in recent weeks.
Ndlanya has backed the former Maritzburg United boss, underlining that his team has been playing well, but lack of cutting edge in front of goal has cost them dearly this season.
"I'm not the kind of person to criticise coaches, and at the end of the day, the players have the responsibility. I think, without mentioning any names, there are a lot of players at Chiefs who have to work harder," the 45-year old told The Sowetan.
"You cannot blame Steve if the players are not putting the ball in the net. I have watched all of Chiefs’ games. They create chances, but don't convert. Do you mean that Steve Komphela must take off his suit and convert those chances?
"You don't have to blame Steve there. What I like about Chiefs is they create the chances, but who is going to bury them? I don't know," he added.
"The strikers must take responsibility inside the box. You know, at some point, you need to be greedy.
"You need to be selfish sometimes, and I think the Chiefs’ players pass the ball even when they have an opportunity to shoot. I used to be ashamed if I went three months without scoring a goal."
