Kaizer Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso feels that the players owe coach Steve Komphela a huge debt for shielding them from the wrath of disgruntled supporters.

As the man in charge, Komphela has taken bullets for his team in the last three seasons, when many of the players have not performed to their optimum.

The least Amakhosi players could do to thank their erudite mentor is by winning the Telkom Knockout, he said.

"Steve has a lot of balls. He handles a lot of pressure. He takes the pressure from all the fans and takes the pressure away from us because he can handle it," Cardoso said.

"I think we have to win this trophy for him. As a coach he has never won a trophy in domestic football and I think we owe it to him."

The Glamour Boys will face Bidvest Wits in the semifinal of the TKO at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3.30pm).

Just like Komphela, Cardoso is targeting his maiden top-flight title.

"Even myself as a player, I haven't won a trophy here or at any other team. We need it for ourselves, for the club and our fans.

"We haven't won anything in two seasons and this is our chance."

Chiefs have performed surprisingly well recently, with the odds stacked against them.

With the team ravaged by injuries to regular players, the technical staff have been forced to improvise with their formation.

The former Free State Stars man accepts that the injuries to his teammates have been a blessing in disguise.

"It's been a blessing for myself and for the other players to show that we are hungry to play. It's not a good thing that the others got injured but sometimes things happen for a reason.

"I think I found my feet again since I was injured," the defender reflected.