“Steve is a very knowledgeable coach,” Kaizer Chiefs’ Doctor Khumalo says about the Club’s new coach Steve Komphela. “He always came tops in the coaching courses.”

The former Amakhosi midfielder played with Komphela at the South African team level. Later on, Chiefs’ former defender (1993 season) joined Muhsin Ertugral’s technical staff (in 2000). Khumalo was still playing at the time.

The Amakhosi legend finds it disturbing that some media reports have indicated that the two can’t get along: “It’s strange, because Steve is a colleague and a friend.”

“However, it also shows what’s wrong in this country. Why can’t we appreciate his appointment as the new Chiefs coach? I am happy for Steve to get the job. Of course, it’s a huge and big step. But that’s why the technical staff is there to help him. I know his mentality. Whenever we met, often at the coaching courses, we have spoken for at least an hour, normally just about football.”

“It’s great to see that a local will be in charge of Kaizer Chiefs,” adds Khumalo. “Even better, most Absa Premiership teams will have local coaches at the start of the upcoming season. By the way, I say that without taking anything away with foreign coaches. It’s to showcase, as South African coaches, what God gave us.”

“Steve is very experienced as a coach,” concludes Khumalo. “Thanks to his background at the Club, he knows what Chiefs is all about. I welcome him and I am happy that he’s back at the Village.”