Despite his side playing to their second consecutive draw in the Absa Premiership, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is happy with his players following their 1-1 draw against Ajax Cape Town on Saturday.
Edward Manqele opened up the scoring with his first goal for the Amakhosi before Nathan Paulse equalised from a corner-kick to see the points shared.
“I must compliment the players for their response,” said Komphela.
“The energy was right and the intensity was right.
“It would have been very nice if we did not concede, but again it happened and there is nothing you can do about it, we just have to deal with it.
“In terms of the previous matches, more especially the last two I can’t fault us that much.
“The fact that Anssi Jaakkola (Ajax goalkeeper) is the ‘man of the match’ is an indication of the pressure we put on Ajax.
“I strongly believe that the number of times we entered the final third we could have gone into the dressing room at half time one or two-nil up.
“I am firmly pleased with the performance and we will take the point.”
Komphela was constantly in the ear of the fourth official through the match and touched on the officiating as well.
“Kaizer Chiefs is a massive brand and as much as we try to maintain calmness, you don’t want to become an enemy of the game, you want to help the referee be in control of the match, but sometimes they lose it,” said the Chiefs coach.
“But we are not complaining.”
Komphela also complimented Ivan Bukenya on his performance in the centre-back role after coming in for Lorenzo Gordinho.
“Bukenya did very well. It is not easy to handle Nathan Paulse, but he gave a good account of himself except on the corner where they scored,” concluded Komphela.
