Even
if Steve Khompela has yet to win major titles with Free State Stars, he does
remain fascinating - both as a coach and person.
The
coach’s insistence on flair play wasn't the only uncharacteristic thing about
him. Stars play a 3-5-2 with dynamic pressing, which makes the side more
European in style. Despite Stars' excellent performances, Khompela still found
himself under fire in a country that prides itself on its footballing identity.
Khompela’s 3-5-2 system is expected to do likewise.
It’s
predicated upon extreme physical fitness in order for the team to play at the
high tempo required. Off the ball, the team presses aggressively, high up the
pitch - well into their opponents half, in a style dissimilar to Pep
Guardiola’s Barcelona.
The
aim is to win the ball as close to the opposition’s goal as possible, and
attack directly, in numbers and at pace. But despite Khompela’s relative
success at International level for the U/23’s, it’s a commonly held belief that
sporadic international get-togethers don’t afford particularly detail-focused
coaches the chance to fully implement their methods.
Club-level
coaching with Stars has allowed Khompela to drum his ideas into a talented
squad of players on a daily basis.
This
is a coach who has been known to train players in different positions at
different times to work on specifics relating to their roles. A Khompela led
Stars going hell for leather against the big guns is a thriller to watch.
By Lucas Mogale
Tweet: @RhoooLu
