Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is wary of an Orlando Pirates team who might be rejuvenated by the arrival of a new coach.
Komphela believes the 10th-placed Buccaneers are ready to turn a new page in their under-achieving season under new coach Kjell Jonevret‚ and that Chiefs should be aware of that in Saturday’s Absa Premiership Soweto derby at FNB Stadium.
“We respect Pirates. Whatever they went through is gone. There’s a new coach‚ and it’s a new match – and they are playing us‚” Komphela said.
“So whatever happened goes through the window – counts for nothing. It’s a new match and that we respect so much.”
Komphela is not just wary of a Pirates side on the rebound after 10 games without a win‚ which is often a dangerous recipe for a turnaround in form for either side when they go into the unpredictable derby in poor form.
Chiefs’ coach shied away from the favourite’s tag that should supposedly be applied o his team on the basis of their six matches unbeaten‚ including five victories.
Komphela was in fact asked about the fact that he has not won a derby in regulation time in well into his second season as coach of Amakhosi.
The coach did win a derby in November 2015‚ but on penalties‚ 5-2 in the Telkom Knockout.
Komphela neatly sidestepped a question on his derby record at the pre-match press conference on Thursday‚ raising the issue instead of not wanting the dreaded favourite tag.
“There has always been pressure‚ you jus have to get addicted to that‚ and I think I have adapted.” Komphela said.
“With regards to the result‚ we would love to win it‚ but the greatest danger is that. But the greatest danger is that everything is pointing at us‚ and we hate that.
“Because sometimes when you seem to be the favourite‚ it seems to be the other way round. So we are fully prepared.”
Chiefs have drawn three times against Pirates under Komphela – including the one penalties win to Amakhosi – and lost twice‚ 2-0 in the last-32 of the 2016 Nedbank Cup and 3-1 in the league in October 2015.
Steve Komphela 'hates' Chiefs being called favourites against new era Pirates
Komphela believes the 10th-placed Buccaneers are ready to turn a new page in their under-achieving season under new coach Kjell Jonevret‚ and that Chiefs should be aware of that in Saturday’s Absa Premiership Soweto derby at FNB Stadium.
“We respect Pirates. Whatever they went through is gone. There’s a new coach‚ and it’s a new match – and they are playing us‚” Komphela said.
“So whatever happened goes through the window – counts for nothing. It’s a new match and that we respect so much.”
Komphela is not just wary of a Pirates side on the rebound after 10 games without a win‚ which is often a dangerous recipe for a turnaround in form for either side when they go into the unpredictable derby in poor form.
Chiefs’ coach shied away from the favourite’s tag that should supposedly be applied o his team on the basis of their six matches unbeaten‚ including five victories.
Komphela was in fact asked about the fact that he has not won a derby in regulation time in well into his second season as coach of Amakhosi.
The coach did win a derby in November 2015‚ but on penalties‚ 5-2 in the Telkom Knockout.
Komphela neatly sidestepped a question on his derby record at the pre-match press conference on Thursday‚ raising the issue instead of not wanting the dreaded favourite tag.
“There has always been pressure‚ you jus have to get addicted to that‚ and I think I have adapted.” Komphela said.
“With regards to the result‚ we would love to win it‚ but the greatest danger is that. But the greatest danger is that everything is pointing at us‚ and we hate that.
“Because sometimes when you seem to be the favourite‚ it seems to be the other way round. So we are fully prepared.”
Chiefs have drawn three times against Pirates under Komphela – including the one penalties win to Amakhosi – and lost twice‚ 2-0 in the last-32 of the 2016 Nedbank Cup and 3-1 in the league in October 2015.
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