Komphela blames refs for Chiefs loss

Kaizer Chiefs mentor Steve Komphela does not come across as the type of coach who will complain about match officials.

But his finely worded rant about the nature of Leonardo Castro's halftime substitution betrayed a man who is feeling the pressure of losing a second cup final in one season.

With Chiefs benefitting from two rather benevolent penalties from referee Kulasande Qongqo, along with the rub of the green from the 50-50 decisions, Komphela's outburst was peculiar.

"Nobody knows why Castro was substituted but my suspicion was that he knew he was not supposed to be on the field," Komphela said. "He was supposed to have been sent off for a second bookable offence after kicking the ball away."

The Chiefs coach further argued that perhaps the tension-riddled match needed stronger match officials.

"Otherwise it makes us look like idiots on the sides. And when you keep on protesting and protesting it's not nice."

There was a lot that was wrong with the collective Chiefs performance on Wednesday, stemming from selections to how tactics were executed.

Centre backs Morgan Gould and Lorenzo Gordinho did not look like they had time to acquaint with each other as defensive partners but that was half the problem.