Steve Komphela reflected on his trophyless two seasons at the helm of Kaizer Chiefs and attributed bad luck to their lack of success, but says they are eyeing improvements going forward.

The Soweto giants salvaged some pride by defeating Absa Premiership champions Bidvest Wits in their final league game of the season, which ensured that they finish the season in fourth spot.

When asked about his future at the club following a rather disappointing two seasons, the former Maritzburg United mentor was his usual pragmatic self.

‘I must be careful. In response to the last part of your question – I fire myself,’ he told reporters after the Wits game.

‘Because the question says‚ do you think you deserve to stay on?

‘Any response to that question has got direct implications and reference. So one has to be very smart in their response.”

‘I don’t think at any stage when you’re at Chiefs‚ when you earn second‚ it’s good enough – no.

‘And I cannot bring any excuses. I just have to accept the status quo and try to rectify,’ he added.

Komphela then detailed just how unlucky his team has been in all competitions beginning with their MTN 8 loss to Ajax Cape Town.

‘Looking deep into all four tournaments of the season: if you look at the MTN8 and how we lost in Cape Town –one counter-attacking move‚ goal‚ done.

‘If you look at Free State Stars in the Telkom in Durban – that rainy day where we played beautiful football and (Stars goalkeeper) Thela Ngobeni was man-of-the-match‚ and we missed out on penalties.

‘Then you come to the Nedbank as well against SuperSport – in extra time we miss that penalty and it denies us a semifinal spot.

‘In the Absa Premiership those 18 points we gave away in eight matches – losing matches and drawing matches in the last minute in a manner that we will never understand.

‘Those are all things that‚ when looked at in a more objective manner‚ you try to say‚ ‘But listen‚ we can do better than this – our people deserve better’.

‘But again‚ it comes across as an excuse. In football, you can’t explain‚ because it comes across as an excuse,’ he concluded.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix