Steve Komphela returns to Maritzburg United with mixed emotions tomorrow, the Kaizer Chiefs coach confessing this week that he was puzzled to find his former team in the throes of relegation.
Komphela left Maritzurg in June having led them to an historic top-eight finish, but as they host Amakhosi in tomorrow's Absa Premiership action (Harry Gwala Stadium, 6pm) they do so with a sorry record that tells of the massive gulf their former coach's departure has created. They are bottom of the table with one win.
"As their former employee, I do feel pity for them to see where they are now," Komphela told Sowetan. "I don't know specific reasons, but it could be that they have changed their tactics. They lost key players like [Ntuthuko] Mabaso, who went to Ajax Cape Town. The new acquisitions have also taken some time to gel. But I'm at Chiefs now and my mission is to go there and get all the points."
Komphela added that his relations with Maritzburg had normalised again following a less than smooth departure, when the club demanded he compensate them for breach of contract for dumping them for Chiefs.
"That thing was sorted out and I have moved on. But it was an eye opener for me. It showed me that you must always expect the unexpected when dealing with people. I don't owe them anything, but I came out of it a better person," he said.
Komphela managed to turn Harry Gwala Stadium into a feared fortress and Chiefs travel to that venue not having won there for four seasons. Last season, the Team of Choice - led by Komphela - inflicted one of only three league defeats on the champions.
"I know it has always been difficult for Chiefs to win at Maritzburg. But we want to change that now. As long as that pitch is playable the way I know it, we will have a good chance."
Fixtures
Tomorrow:
Wits v Arrows, Milpark Stadium (3.30pm); Polokwane City v Platinum Stars, Peter Mokaba (3.30pm); Maritzburg v Chiefs, Harry Gwala (6pm); Sundowns v FS Stars, Lucas Moripe (8.15pm); Ajax v SuperSport, Athlone (8.15pm)
Sunday:
Cosmos v Chippa, Olen Park (3.30pm); Celtic v Black Aces, Dr Molemela Stadium (3.30pm)
Maritzburg slide stuns Steve
Steve Komphela returns to Maritzburg United with mixed emotions tomorrow, the Kaizer Chiefs coach confessing this week that he was puzzled to find his former team in the throes of relegation.
Komphela left Maritzurg in June having led them to an historic top-eight finish, but as they host Amakhosi in tomorrow's Absa Premiership action (Harry Gwala Stadium, 6pm) they do so with a sorry record that tells of the massive gulf their former coach's departure has created. They are bottom of the table with one win.
"As their former employee, I do feel pity for them to see where they are now," Komphela told Sowetan. "I don't know specific reasons, but it could be that they have changed their tactics. They lost key players like [Ntuthuko] Mabaso, who went to Ajax Cape Town. The new acquisitions have also taken some time to gel. But I'm at Chiefs now and my mission is to go there and get all the points."
Komphela added that his relations with Maritzburg had normalised again following a less than smooth departure, when the club demanded he compensate them for breach of contract for dumping them for Chiefs.
"That thing was sorted out and I have moved on. But it was an eye opener for me. It showed me that you must always expect the unexpected when dealing with people. I don't owe them anything, but I came out of it a better person," he said.
Komphela managed to turn Harry Gwala Stadium into a feared fortress and Chiefs travel to that venue not having won there for four seasons. Last season, the Team of Choice - led by Komphela - inflicted one of only three league defeats on the champions.
"I know it has always been difficult for Chiefs to win at Maritzburg. But we want to change that now. As long as that pitch is playable the way I know it, we will have a good chance."
Fixtures
Tomorrow:
Wits v Arrows, Milpark Stadium (3.30pm); Polokwane City v Platinum Stars, Peter Mokaba (3.30pm); Maritzburg v Chiefs, Harry Gwala (6pm); Sundowns v FS Stars, Lucas Moripe (8.15pm); Ajax v SuperSport, Athlone (8.15pm)
Sunday:
Cosmos v Chippa, Olen Park (3.30pm); Celtic v Black Aces, Dr Molemela Stadium (3.30pm)
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