The Ellis Park disaster was South Africa’s worst sporting tragedy, 43 fans tragically died and 158 more sustained injuries during the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on Wednesday, 11 April 2011.

To remember the fallen Amakhosi coach Steve Komphela led the squad today in a solemn minute of silence.

Komphela was on the bench on that fateful day, assisting Chiefs’ then head coach Muhsin Ertugral, who will be in charge of Mpumalanga Black Aces’ side to face Amakhosi on Tuesday evening, 12 April.

Present Chiefs assistant-coach Doctor Khumalo, goalkeeper coach Brian Baloyi and team manager Gerald Sibeko were in the squad to face the Buccaneers 15 years ago. Baloyi started, while Khumalo and Sibeko were on the bench.

“It’s important to share our feelings,” Komphela told the Amakhosi squad before training on Monday morning. “Doctor, Brian, Gerald and I were there. Great teams face moments of both celebrations and tragedy. It’s part of history. The Ellis Park history is a chapter in the history of Kaizer Chiefs and South African football. It’s a lesson we will never want to forget and it can never happen again.”

The Amakhosi coach also referred to another soccer disaster, Orkney. In a pre-season friendly between Chiefs and Pirates 42 supporters died during a stampede at the Orkney Stadium on 13 January 1991.

The players and technical staff all listened in silence while first Komphela, followed by Baloyi and Khumalo reflected with heartfelt emotion on the Ellis Park disaster.

Khumalo was visibly moved when he spoke, barely able to raise his voice: “The Derby is a serious game. Both at Ellis Park and at Orkney, many people died for this team – it’s hard to conceptualise that some people never went home after the game.”

“I have learnt from it to cherish the moment,” Khumalo furthermore told the squad.

Before the minute of silence in remembrance of the fallen at the Ellis Park Stadium, Komphela concluded by saying: “Guys, please, I want complete silence out of respect to the people who were taken away on that day. Complete silence is a sign of respect. Let’s show it.”

Respect was duly given!