Steve Komphela talks up Moroka Swallows squad in pursuit of silverware

By Mazola Molefe
19th October 2023

Moroka Swallows coach Steve Komphela has talked up his charges ahead of their Carling Knockout cup tie away to Richards Bay on Sunday, another step in their pursuit of silverware this season.

Komphela has in the past fell short of going all the way in domestic competitions, but his fortunes changed at Mamelodi Sundowns – a three-year spell as part of the technical team that came with three successive league titles.

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Now back as a sole head coach, Komphela believes he is armed with a group that can spring a surprise in this campaign.

"If you look at the players we have, Kwanda [Mngonyama] has been in the field for so many years. Keenen [Phillips] has been at SuperSport [United], he's been there and he's a top right back. Bongani Sam is something else. If you talk of Keegan Allan as well, COSAFA whatever, he's something else. I'm trying to count individuals so that the response at the end must be justifiable. If you look at Andile Jali, Phalane [Lantshene], Mthethwa [Tlakusani] the captain, you go to Malinga [Kagiso], you go to [Tshegofatso] Mabasa currently he's leading the charts in goalscoring," Komphela said.

Swallows have enjoyed a decent start in the DStv Premiership too, with Komphela of the opinion they could have been higher than fourth place after eight matches had it not been for some sloppy results.

"You definitely realise but these guys are capable. Then you take the same audit of your squad you compare it with the rest of the other squads in the league. Forget the position they sitting on now, had they not lost against Cape Town City and we know we could have done better. Had they not lost against Richards Bay, we know we could have done better. It could have been a different ball game," Komphela added.

The Dube Birds, the coach adds, seem to prefer being the underdogs if the conversation Komphela is having with the players is anything to go by.

"But one thing that they advised us to do and they advised me to do, they said 'Coach, if they see you come out early there's a possibility, they might go for you. So, it's better we stay where we at, at the right time you show face. Under the radar'."