“No one will remember that we played badly in the second half because we won and that’s what counts,” reflects coach Steve Komphela on Kaizer Chiefs’ second win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in three days’ time. “I wish we could not have gone through the second half and that we had only played the first 45 minutes. However, I am pleased that there will be additional points for our log standings.”

Chiefs beat Aces 1-0 thanks to Camaldine Abraw’s headed goal in the first half.

“The two matches against Aces were tough,” Komphela reflects on the two encounters, one of which was Saturday’s 2-1 win in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal. “I don't know how many tactical systems we had to go through in these two matches. It was like chess.”

“It was maybe not nice to watch, especially the second half, but a win is a win,” stresses Komphela.

Aces triker Collins Mbesuma tormented Chiefs, his former club, in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal, but this time the bulky striker was quiet. “We devised a plan to contain him and it worked,” Komphela reacts.

Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was at his best, thwarting Aces attack after attack, in the process keeping Amakhosi in the game. He deservedly won the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance.

“It is nice to see our goalkeepers doing well,” Komphela comments.

The win gives Chiefs fourteen points on the long, climbing two notches up to fourth position. Amakhosi have not lost a league match this season.

Next up is the Soweto Derby, on Saturday, 31 October at FNB Stadium (kick-off is at 15:30).