Steve Komphela hits back at Moroka Swallows for poor communication

The public broadcaster ran a story earlier today revealing Komphela was a notable absentee from the Dube Birds’ first session back from the break as well as the saga around player disputes over December salaries.  

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At the time of going to print, the coach had not responded to questions, but has since come back to clarify why he did not report for duty. 

Swallows are looking to turn a new page following the decision to fire players who were found guilty of misconduct based on the recommendation from the chairperson of an internal hearing. 

This was as a result of two DStv Premiership fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows being called off at short notice by the Premier Soccer League because the Dube Birds would not have been able to show up. 

With the second half of the 2023/24 season to resume on 13 February and Swallows travelling to Cape Town City, it was assistant coaches Musa Nyatama and Ditheko Mototo who took charge of training on Tuesday. 

Komphela’s absence has raised eyebrows.     

“This Swallows environment is extremely incomprehensible. No one can tell you [and] I also can’t comprehend a thing,” the coach explained to SABC Sport. 

He pointed a finger at team manager Elasto Kapowezha and Sipho Xulu, the club CEO, for being stingy with information. 

“Elasto, the team manager is in charge and communicates with players and never with me. I know nothing about all the decisions taken from 27 December. The last time I heard from the front office was when Mr Xulu communicated with me on 12 January that he was instructed to postpone the pre-season resumption that was scheduled for 15 January. It’s 15 days past that date and I never got any communication as promised and that’s why I was not at training. I can’t answer your question but Elasto Kapowezha and the chairman are best positioned to answer,” Komphela’s statement elaborated further. 

It's looking increasingly likely that Nyatama and Mototo will then take over in the interim with the relationship between the head coach and the hierarchy clearly broken down at this point. 

Swallows have also lost defender Keegan Allan to SuperSport United on a free transfer after parting ways with the 23-year-old by mutual consent on deadline day last week, while striker Kagiso Malinga moved to Golden Arrows. 

Leading goal scorer Tshegofatso Mabasa also had his loan spell cut short and has returned to parent club Orlando Pirates.

Komphela, who joined the Dube Birds on a one-year contract at the start of the campaign having left Sundowns, now looks set to be the next one out the birds’ nest.