The Sunday Mail
KAIZER CHIEFS head coach Steve Komphela believes Orlando Pirates’ second goal just after the break ‘killed everything’.
A brace from Luvuyo Memela and a solitary strike from Thembinkosi Lorch guided Pirates to a 3-1 win at the FNB Stadium yesterday.
However, Komphela did feel his side should have buried the game in the first half.
“If you were to sum it up in one line, you would say we played they scored. I thought we should have buried the match in the first half we were pressing quite well, we didn’t give them time and space to turn because one of their strengths is that once they get turned, they flood your defensive zone,” Komphela told SuperSport TV.
“In the second half, I think the second goal killed everything. An early goal for them boosted their morale and we had to reshuffle a bit. I still believe even on the back of the goal our players played well. It was a good game for a neutral, good game for the supporters but just a bad result for us.
“What they did is that as soon as we lost the ball or we lost our pressing then as soon as they get turned they see their bodies upfront and you feel that energy, that’s where the difference came. The pressing was perfect in the first half but we were losing it a bit in the second half and that was the difference.
Komphela also commented on his poor record in the Soweto Derby as Chiefs coach.
“The one we have won wouldn’t be counted. Before I came here there are matches I’ve won against Pirates, you look at it as an individual? No. But I’ve won many matches against Pirates before,” he added. — Kick Off
