Amakhosi stars Awol in final

George Lebese of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs at Peter Mokaba Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Polokwane, South Africa. Picture credits: Gallo Images
George Lebese of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs at Peter Mokaba Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Polokwane, South Africa. Picture credits: Gallo Images

From an emphatic 4-1 win against SuperSport United a week earlier to surrendering their MTN8 title to Ajax Cape Town in the next match, where were the Kaizer Chiefs match-winners on Saturday afternoon?

"You cannot single out anybody because they have brought you this far but on the day it was just not happening," was Chiefs coach Steve Komphela's response in his remarks after Ajax pipped them 1-0 to win the cup.

He is not one to lash out at his players after a defeat but at least four names quickly pop up: Willard Katsande, top goal- scorer George Lebese, Bernard Parker and captain Siphiwe Tshabalala. These are the players who have made Amakhosi tick either as a unit or simply by their individual brilliance. But they could not add to their trophy collection or help their coach get the monkey off his back.

Komphela, who suffered his first loss since his arrival at Naturena, will have to continue his search for a winners' medal as a club coach despite Chiefs being hot favourites to defend their trophy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. "One has to admit that we didn't play well. If you have three of four players in the squad who are not having their normal game, then you are going to struggle. And compliments must go to Ajax. One thing we had to do was to deal with Nathan Paulse [the goalscorer], who was a handful," Komphela said.

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