Komphela breaks silence on ’Downs return

THE experienced figure of Steve Komphela has broken his silence following his surprise return to DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Komphela has interestingly admitted to never taking his eyes off the Brazilians despite his sacking at the start of the last campaign, which saw him take head coaching jobs at Moroka Swallows and Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Since he departed from the Chloorkop-based outfit, the 57-year-old mentor has been the head coach at both Moroka Swallows and Golden Arrows.

At the Dube Birds, Komphela arrived in July before a financial crisis pushed him out into the cold.

In March, former club Arrows came calling for the second time, a relationship that stood until the end of the season.

One would imagine he had officially moved on from Sundowns, however the outspoken manager has since returned to Chloorkop recently as a senior assistant to Manqoba Mngqithi, to the surprise of many, after the sudden departure of Rulani Mokwena.

Komphela collected two DStv Premiership medals in the colours of the Brazilians in his first stint in two separate roles.

Now working alongside Mngqithi, he has urged the club’s supporters to get behind the ‘reformed’ technical team and also admitted to “never taking my eyes off the work done by the club in the 12 months” he was ‘away’.

“The only thing we request is support and what we can promise is to work endlessly,” he said

“I must hasten to say that I am privileged to be back at Mamelodi Sundowns. Even when I was out there, my eyes were always here because the work that is done at Sundowns is appealing.

“Whether you are outside or inside, you are bound to look at it. We are just looking forward to the season and with the changes it is obviously going to be a moment of new developments.”

The last two months have seen wholesale changes made at Sundowns with enigmatic coach Mokwena leading the list of exits that includes both coaching staff and players.

One of Mokwena’s recruits Sinethemba Badela (who was the DDC coach) has left the club and is expected to link up with Mokwena at his new club Wydad Athletic along with set piece coach Michael Loftman.

Along with the five players released, it has been widely reported that physical trainer Sibusiso Mahlangu and masseur Thabiso Moshane have also left the club.

Komphela has pleaded with the Sundowns faithful to allow him and his technical team to restart the club’s ambitions as well as develop the team.

“In any team development, there are five stages which are the forming, storming, norming, performing and then excellence,” he said.

He added: “At the beginning, there is going to be a bit of a storm and it is normal because I am taking a seat that was occupied by you and it is feeling uncomfortable.

“The same energy and vibe from our people, the success of Mamelodi Sundowns is institutional, these are the people who brought us the Champions League star and we are blessed to have them.”