Reneilwe 'Yeye' Letsholonyane, a legendary figure at Kaizer Chiefs, has opened up about his time under former coach Steve Komphela, expressing regret over not doing enough to contribute to a successful stint for the South African coach at the Soweto giants.
The duo worked together during the 2015/16 season, a period that followed closely on the heels of the club's league title and MTN8 triumph (which was achieved by the previous Stuart Baxter), marking a dominant phase for Amakhosi.
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Letsholonyane, who was a pivotal figure for Chiefs and often seen as the team's linchpin, lamented the club's failure to clinch titles in Komphela's first season, which saw them lose two finals and finish fifth in the league standings. Komphela, who took over the helm following Baxter's departure, was the first local coach in the top-flight era to lead the Glamour Boys, a club traditionally inclined towards foreign coaches.
Komphela's tenure at Naturena, however, did not unfold as hoped and concluded in April 2018 amid mounting pressure and a 2-0 defeat to the now-defunct Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals. Reflecting on this period, Letsholonyane shared the following with Marawa Sports Worldwide.
"It was the first season of Steve Komphela, we went to two cup finals, MTN8 and Telkom if I'm not mistaken, we lost both. The season ended without winning anything and that's the season I think I got injured," Letsholonyane told Robert Marawa.
Injuries marred Letsholonyane's contributions during Komphela's initial season, limiting him to just 30 appearances across all competitions and two goals. Despite his physical setbacks, 'Yeye' felt a profound responsibility to support Komphela, recognizing the significance of a young South African coach leading a club of Chiefs' stature amidst prevailing skepticism about such appointments.
"I was out for quite a while and I even forced myself to come back while I was still injured because I felt that was a moment we should do well for a South African black coach – a young SA black coach coaching Kaizer Chiefs. Because already there was this need of a young South African black coach cannot coach a big team. Those stories..." Letsholonyane said.
Letsholonyane's reflections reveal a deep sense of personal accountability for the team's underperformance during Komphela's era.
"I feel that we let, obviously we let him down and I'm not saying 'we', let me say 'me'. That's how I felt. That I didn't do enough. Yes, I was injured but injury aside. I felt that season I didn't do enough to try and help another brother to stay for the longest time because for me I know for a fact that if you are coaching a big team. For you to buy time, you must win something so out of two – if had he won one, it was going to be a different story so ja," Letsholonyane added.
After an illustrious stint with Chiefs, 'Yeye' had moved on to SuperSport United in 2016, continuing his successful football journey.
Letsholonyane's candid insights offer a rare glimpse into the challenges and pressures within one of South Africa's most storied football clubs, highlighting the complexities of leadership, team dynamics, and the weight of expectations that come with donning the Chiefs jersey.
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