Komphela accepts challenge to revive Swallows

Komphela spent nearly three years as part of the successful Mamelodi Sundowns coaching staff before jumping ship. 

A former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Komphela understands the rich history of being in charge of another Soweto giant. 

"To be honest with you, when you come to a project where everybody else wants to revisit history, you have a point of reference. But it is extremely inspiring to that when you look back at that you understand it had been Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and then Moroka Swallows," said Komphela. 

"So, when you are being invited and there's a name change or revival, then you understand the obligation [of where] Moroka Swallows comes from and that on its own pushes you to a point where you need to try and get there", he continued. 

Swallows have been quite active in the transfer market, bringing in midfielders Andile Jali and Lantshene Phalane, defender Keenan Phillips, and striker Dumisani Zuma. Komphela looks to have been hands-on, given he had previously worked with three of the four.

"It is much easier, especially where you want to instil a particular way of playing when you have people who understand your way of playing it becomes easier to plant the seed to everybody around, but it had not been easy." 

While eager to hit the ground running, Komphela believes the Dube Birds will not achieve their targets overnight.

"You are at the beginning of a project.  There's going to be a lot of insecurities to people you find there, then there's gonna be the storming. So you quickly have to find the norming, and then performing.

"Because the greatest danger with many clubs is not to recognise that as you form, there's going to be a storm, and you cannot perpetually stay in the storming phase. The only way to come out of a storming phase is to recognise it and immediately push into the morning phase then you see performance and excellence." 

Komphela is putting no timelines to how long it is likely to take him before he can aim for silverware or his interpretation of success at Swallows.