The
all football fraternity believed that Steve Komphela was a lunatic when he
declared in his first post match interview at the beginning of the season after
playing to a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United. It was on the 13 August last year
that “this team will challenge for the title, mark my word” said Steve.
With
4 yellow cards awarded to key players and 2 bad decisions from the referee of
the day, Stars lost 2 crucial home points. But the signs of a solid team were showing
off, with Kennedy Mweene forming the back 5 with Rudiger Gilbert, Thabo Matlaba,
on form Phumlani Mhamha and the ever fit Paulus Masehe, SuperSport couldn’t
cope with this energetic team which was also protected by Mzikayise Mashaba, Katlego
Mashego, Manti Moholo and Dové Wome in the midfield.
The
game was a major setback for Steve’s troops given the fact that they had an
early goal (9’) just to see a fake penalty been given against them. They bad
luck would follow them for the next 3 games, dropping in en route, 9 major
points. For me, Stars effort to stay on course to challenge for the major title
(championship) was well on track until this first incident.
In
week 23, Stars defeated Bloemfontein Celtic at home, 2-1, pushing them to only
5 points behind the log leader, however, the story broke in the media that,
Steve was considered by Kaizer Chiefs as their new manager come the end of the
season.
Immediately
in week 24, Steve travelled to play Golden Arrows and lost 2-0 and losing
ground to Mamelodi Sundowns. That lost hit Stars very hard as they lost more
ground when they dropped 2 more points against Black Leopards. While playing well verses the middle table
oppositions, Stars couldn’t real get their footing right verses the bottom
teams like Jomo Cosmos and Black Leopards.
By
the time Stars were facing Maritzburg United in the game that they won 4-1, the
team made of (Edward) Manqele, Masehe, Mashego and (Mpho) Makola were tired
from chasing the league and wanted to get something out of the season, maybe
the cup but didn’t have enough in their tank to fight. The whole month after
the break, Stars collected only 2 points out of possible 6.
Misfortunes of Free State
Stars have four faces:
·
Kennedy
Mweene winning the Afcon with Zambia, the team missed his leadership at the
back and the team was too concern in not losing matches, hence couldn’t take
chances of going forward as usual.
·
The
rumours about Steve Komphela didn’t help in the change room and his nomination
as Pitso Mosimane’s assistance.
·
But
luck with referees’ decisions didn’t help either.
·
Doing
well in the cup while challenging for the league title (For a team like Stars
with limited resources, meaning “the squad size) you need to have a priority.
The
killer blow for Stars was in week 22 when they got beaten 3-1 against a strong
Orlando Pirates late performance. Pirates scored as early as the 1st minute,
but Stars with (Enva) Wiltwer, (Coldrin) Coetzee and Mashaba played the game of
their lives, helped by Makola and Masehe, Manqele got an equaliser. But Pirates
went into the 3rd gear got the second and third goal and by the time Steve
introduced Wome, (Boitumelo) Sekgobela and (Tshidiso) Mosikili, the game was
over. Steve started to think of the cup coup.
Now,
the jury is out to judge Steve and his players and decide if the season was a
success or miss opportunity through misfortune?
By Christopher L
Bongo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Football101WithCBongo
Email: clbongo@gmail.com
