Steve Komphela
Kaizer Chiefs coach, Steve Komphela is not throwing in the towel yet on a place at the 1/18th round following his side’s disappointing 1-0 first-leg loss against ASEC Mimosas at home last week.
The defeat was Amakhosi’s third in a row in all competitions, a statistic that has left bit of a sour taste in the mouths of the supporters, who only quantify success with the number trophies in the cabinet. The Soweto giants now face a mammoth task of an away victory against a side, that won the competition in 1998 and a regular participant in the continental club championship.
However, Komphela believes that he can still turn the corner and the CAF Champions League presents the ideal opportunity for him to win back the trust of the ever-demanding Amakhosi faithful.
“Our results have been far from impressive this season and this is due to a number of reasons which we are trying to rectify at training. I still believe that the desire to wear the club jersey has not changed from the players. The commitment and drive is still very much alive but what has been lacking is the execution where it matters most” said Komphela, referring to the club’s recent spell of drought in front of goal.
Chiefs have been struggling to find the back of the net this season with their target man, Camaldine Abraw netting only five times, equal to midfield ace, George Lebese. Over the years, Chiefs have had quality goal poachers, such as Zambian forward and current PSL top goal scorer, Collins Mbesuma who still holds the record of 35 goals in one season for the club.
Komphela warned that he will be going for an all out attack and believes they do have what it takes to come back with a positive result.
“From what we saw in the first leg, we were able to get behind their defence which is important for us. Our plan is to go to Abidjan, get an early lead which will throw them completely off their game plan and after that, anything can happen” said a confident Komphela.
The 48-year-old coach strongly believes in the depth of talent in his squad. However, with ASEC’s quality at the back, the coach’s belief will surely be put to test.
“We have wealth of experience in players such as Simphiwe Tshabalala who have played in CAF competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations. Such players know what it takes to get a result in difficult conditions” he concluded.
South Africa’s other representative, Mamelodi Sundowns take a two-goal lead to Dolisie as guests of AC Leopards.
Fixtures
Saturday, 19 March 2016
AC Leopards (Congo) vs Sundowns (South Africa) (0-2)
CNaPS (Madagascar) vs Wydad (Morocco) (1-5)
El Merreikh (Sudan) vs Warri Wolves (Nigeria) (1-0)
Vital’O (Burundi) vs Enyimba (Nigeria) (1-5)
Young Africans (Tanzania) vs APR (Rwanda) (2-1)
Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) vs OC Khouribga (Morocco) (1-1)
Ahly (Egypt) vs Recreativo do Libolo (Angola) (0-0)
Zamalek (Egypt) vs Union Douala (Cameroon) (1-0)
Sunday, 20 March 2016
ES Setif (Algeria) vs Etoile du Congo (Congo) (1-1)
Coton Sport (Cameroon) vs Stade Malien (Mali) (0-2)
Horoya (Guinea) vs Zesco United (Zambia) (1-4)
ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) vs Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) (1-0)
El Hilal (Sudan) vs Ahly Tripoli (Libya) (0-1)
MO Bejaia (Algeria) vs Club Africain (Tunisia) (0-1)
Ferroviaro (Mozambique) vs AS Vita (DR Congo) (0-1)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs St George (Ethiopia) (2-2)
-CAF Online