“We had a better first half,” coach Steve Komphela reflects on the 1-1 draw between Kaizer Chiefs and Tuks on Wednesday evening. “Tuks came back in the second half. Still, we got some chances, but it just didn’t happen on the night.”

Amakhosi came 1-0 up thanks to a Bernard Parker goal, before the University of Pretoria equalised in the second half.

“We played the first half without too many challenges from the opponent,” says Komphela, “even though we didn’t have our usual rhythm. However, if we exerted ourselves a little more in the first half we could have had at least another goal at the break.”

The second half was a disappointing affair. The MTN8 final loss was probably still on the minds of many players.

Komphela, however, didn’t want to seek excuses: “We need to get back to playing with more confidence, more movement and more rhythm.”

In comparison to Saturday’s MTN8 final against Ajax Cape Town, the Chiefs coach made two changes to the starting line-up against Tuks: Camaldine Abraw came in for Siphelele Mthembu and Lorenzo Gordinho replaced Siyanda Xulu.

Meanwhile, Itumeleng Khune got a knock on the knee during the Ajax clash and was out injured. Replacement Reyaad Pieterse did well in goal against Tuks.

“I wanted to give Gordinho a bite,” explains Komphela the reason for benching Xulu. “He did well.”

George Lebese had to leave the field against Tuks due to an injury, but as yet it’s unclear how serious it is. “We will have to wait for the medical report,” the coach reacts.

The 1-1 against Tuks was Amakhosi’s third draw of the season. Two games were won. This means that Chiefs are still unbeaten in the Absa Premiership after five matches played. They are on nine points, which results in a fifth position on the log.

“We didn’t bounce back as we wanted,” Komphela concludes. “We were not on par, even though we played better than in the MTN8 final. We now have to focus on our next game.”

Amakhosi play Ajax Cape Town in an Absa Premiership fixture at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening (kick-off is at 20:15).