“We are marching on‚” said Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela with a greater confidence in his tone than displayed recently‚ as slowly the answers come together for Amakhosi following a win against Free State Stars‚ the team’s third in a row.

Chiefs produced perhaps their most convincing performance of the season so far to edge out physical‚ hard-working Stars 2-0 at James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney on Wednesday night.

Still‚ of course‚ this is a far from free-flowing Amakhosi. But they battled their way to a 1-0 lead at the break thanks to Willard Katsande’s 10th minute penalty‚ then stepped up their tempo and even found some rhythm in the second half earning Mitchell Katsvairo’s second in the 64th.

The victory followed unconvincing wins against Highlands Park‚ 1-0 in Tembisa‚ and then Maritzburg United‚ 2-0 at FNB Stadium. Komphela said he knows there is room for improvement‚ but was delighted with the result.

“You can’t be happy. Sometimes as you move on and there are more pluses you tend to get complacent‚” Chiefs’ coach said.

“You cannot afford that in football. Worse when it’s 1-0 and you are playing against a very physical team.

“Stars are very physical. Which‚ anyway‚ you cannot complain about – you have to then bring your tools.

“And our best tool is technique. If they bring physique‚ let’s bring technique. Get closer to one another so that we play at ease.

“And one thing that I thought we did very well was that as soon as we lost possession you could see us playing forward wanting to get it back.

“I thought at some stage we allowed them to play‚ because we realised that there was a greater opportunity of getting another goal from a quick transition.

“We got several ones‚ but it was just the final pass – whether it’s decision-making‚ bad technique‚ bad choice. But it’s all about getting into such areas.

“So‚ firstly‚ we are delighted with a victory. We add on the seven points we had and then we’re marching on.”

New signing from Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn Katsvairo’s first goal for his club – in a solid performance leading the line – might provide one answer to Komphela’s many question marks.

It was also a rare goal from open play for Chiefs this season.

“One thing one has to admit is that if you can’t score in the run of play‚ you’ve got to devise a way of getting goals on set pieces‚” Komphela said.

“Now if you get a goal like the one we scored‚ which characterises us – we love to play the ball on the ground and with a bit of speed – it’s a hell of a compliment.

“You’ll go back and say this is how we should be scoring. And if it happens often‚ how beautiful could that be.

“But even if it comes in set pieces‚ what is important is that you unlock the opponent.

“On top of that‚ I’m happy for Katsvairo – he’s been working very hard. He’s got touches‚ he can play with the defender on his back he gets into the right areas.

“And now a goal will be a boost‚ because you know how strikers are. They can make great runs‚ they can create and make – but up until they take it they are never satisfied.”

George Lebese played a hand in both goals and is reaching form. Komphela has sensibly introduced Sibusiso Khumalo at left-back for the struggling Tsepo Masilela‚ and the ex-SuperSport United man set up Katsande’s penalty.

Now the new-look Chiefs sit on top of the leg as the league takes a break until mid-October.

Komphela will not have delusions that his side’s rise to the top of the PSL at such a deceptively early stage is any indication this season will get any easier.

There are big title contenders who have played fewer games than Chiefs’ five – Orlando Pirates have played four‚ Bidvest Wits three‚ and Mamelodi Sundowns just one fixture.

But the ship does appear to have been steadied. And Komphela has two weeks now to continue assimilating new players and ironing out the kinks before his side’s next fixture against Ajax Cape Town at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday‚ October 15. – TMG Sport