Steve Komphela Appointed Head Coach of Kaizer Chiefs
By BBC Sport Africa
South African Premier Soccer League champions Kaizer Chiefs have officially named Steve Komphela as their new head coach, following the departure of Stuart Baxter to Turkish side Gençlerbirliği.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, with the club welcoming Komphela back to the Amakhosi family through a social media statement:
“We are proud to announce the new Kaizer Chiefs Coach, Mr Steve Komphela. Welcome back to the Amakhosi Family.”
Komphela joins Chiefs from fellow PSL side Maritzburg United, where he earned widespread praise for his tactical acumen and development of young talent. The 47-year-old returns to familiar ground, having previously played for the Soweto giants in the 1990s and later served as an assistant coach in 2001.
Now taking the reins as head coach, Komphela has signed a three-year contract with a clear mandate: defend the PSL title and deliver success on the continental stage.
“Chiefs has always been my favourite club. I became a player in 1993 and assistant coach in 2001, and today I am the head coach,” Komphela said during his unveiling.
“I am happy to be here for the third time and I hope to continue the club’s tradition of winning trophies.”
Known for his deep understanding of South African football and strong motivational leadership, Komphela’s appointment has been largely welcomed by fans and analysts alike. His challenge now will be to maintain the high standards set by his predecessor, who led the team to two league titles during his tenure.
With the new season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Komphela to see if he can guide Kaizer Chiefs to further domestic glory—and perhaps make a significant impact in CAF competitions.
