×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Amakhosi remain work in progress

PHOTO - ANTONIO MUCHAVE
PHOTO - ANTONIO MUCHAVE

Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela says he is hopeful that his team will get better with time.

"We are in week four of our pre-season training [and] we had to start well," he said, reflecting on his team's 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup on Saturday.

"We had to accelerate our programme and see to it that come this day, in as much as we are not completely ready, we should be good enough to cope and come through."

Komphela said it was vital that Amakhosi got off to a good start to make amends after their dismal showing in the last campaign.

"The past is gone and it can only be a point of reference," the 49-year-old said.

Komphela, however, cautioned that this team was a work in progress despite the impressive showing against Pirates.

"We are delighted but there is still a lot of work to be done. We haven't moved into other aspects of preparation. We've been trying to build strong endurance and we haven't started working on speed. The one thing we picked up is that the modern game is tilting towards speed, explosive power and you can only get those from a particular way of conditioning. The explosiveness of the team is forever there," he said.

The Free State-born mentor is aware that the pressure is at an all-time high and with that in mind, Komphela said the players' confidence is key moving forward.

"Nothing is easy at Chiefs, there are forever challenges and I'm sure Muhsin [Ertugral] is no different [at Pirates]. But it is very important to have confidence and the only time you get confidence is when you do something that gives positive pointers and you start to believe."

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.