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BREAKING: Coach Komphela resigns as Chiefs is dumped from Nedbank Cup

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Kaizer Chiefs Coach Steve Komphela has resigned. The club has confirmed on its Twitter Page.

This follows the chaotic scenes that played out at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening, after Amakhosi were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup by Free State Stars.

Angry fans, who have been calling for the coach’s resignation for a while, stormed the field immediately after the referee’s final whistle as players, security and officials ran for safety into the stadium tunnel.

Cellphone footage sent to SABC News show acts of vandalism to the stadium infrastructure by the fans – and in one instance a mob of supporters assaulting a female security guard, kicking her and hitting her with objects before she’s left motionless on the ground. It is reported she is fighting for her life, while scores of others were treated for injuries.

“Unfortunately, we have to be responsible. The results are not happening,” said Chiefs Football Manager, Bobby Motaung, seated next to Komphela in a post-match press briefing.

Word has it former Chiefs defender, Patrick Mabedi, who has been Chiefs’ assistant coach, could take over as the interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Pressure was on Komphela and Chiefs going into this Nedbank Cup semifinal match, with supporters expecting nothing less than a win which would have taken the team to the final of the tournament. The loss, however, dashed the club’s chances of winning their first silverware of the season in three years under Komphela.

The incident, which is expected to get the club into hot waters with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) DC, comes days after the club was fined R250 000 for almost a similar incident. R200 000 of that fine was suspended for a year provided the club was not found guilty of the same offence for the period. It is expected to be imposed on the club now.

Meanwhile, Free State Stars Belgian coach Luc Eymael has denied that there’s rift between himself and Komphela. The two faced off in the Nedbank Cup semifinal encounter in Durban on Saturday night amid reports that they were not on speaking terms.

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