Having already missed out on success in the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout, Komphela is under tremendous pressure to deliver and there’s just no room for error, with supporters constantly calling for his head.
Currently in his third season at the helm, Komphela has yet to deliver a trophy to Naturena as his three-year contract draws to a close in May next year.
He has thus far taken the club to two knockout competition finals – MTN8 and Telkom Knockout – both of which came within his first five months of taking over from Stuart Baxter.
The former Maritzburg United mentor has continuously come under scrutiny by the Amakhosi faithful, as well as the media, for his slow progress during his tenure.
Chiefs were unsuccessful in their eighth cup competition under the 50-year-old tactician, when Bidvest Wits sent them packing at the semi-final stage of the Telkom Knockout the past Saturday.
Komphela now only has the Nedbank Cup and Absa Premiership to contest for, if he is to warrant a contract extension by the end of the season.
Statistics might be, in Komphela’s own words, “like a bikini”, but he will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat if he is to leave a positive legacy at The Glamour Boys.
The big one, of course, is to win the league title, which Chiefs since current Bafana Bafana mentor Baxter was at the helm in 2014/15.
Amakhosi’s record in the league has not been convincing, registering a fifth-place finish in 2015/16 as they managed 46 points – a massive 25 behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, and a fourth-place finish last season as they amassed 50 points – 10 points behind winners Wits.
Chiefs have made a decent start to the league season, but they’ve not quite shown that they can conquer. They are yet to win two matches in a row, which should be a concern for Komphela.
Currently in fifth place on 14 points after 10 matches, Chiefs have more draws (five) than victories (three). They would need to turn those stalemates into victories if they are to give themselves a chance of lifting domestic club football’s most coveted prize.
If they slip too far behind in the championship chase, Komphela does not need to be told that he will have to deliver the Nedbank Cup, a competition the club last won in 2013.
In Komphela’s first campaign, Chiefs were knocked out of the 32-team competition at the first hurdle, as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.
Last season they made it to the quarter-final stage, beating minnows Stellenbosch FC and Acornbush United before losing to eventual winners SuperSport United via a penalty shootout.
He has his work cut out to make sure Amakhosi finish with some silverware in the cabinet, and he certainly would not want to be remembered for only winning trophies such as the Maize Cup, Carling Black Label and Macufe Cup.
Played: 93 Won: 37 Drawn: 35 Lost: 21 GF: 109 GA: 82