Komphela speaks out against Nedbank Cup violence

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Steve Komphela says the players and the fans do not deserve the violence that broke out at the  Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Saturday night.

There were chaotic and violent scenes at the stadium as angry fans invaded the pitch following Kaizer Chiefs’s 2-0 loss to Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semi-final.

The players had to sprint for the tunnel as fans stormed the field, starting fires and hurling chairs – leading to the intervention of security police.

Breaking News: Steve Komphela has resigned with immediate effect as head coach of Kaizer Chiefs! More news to follow #KCOneTeam

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) April 21, 2018

Teargas and stun grenades were used to disperse the crowd.

The protest subsequently spilled onto the streets.

This Kaizer Chiefs thug just went for a camera. pic.twitter.com/RtUTkIw6Yw

— Man’s Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) April 22, 2018

In the post-match press conference, Komphela announced that he was stepping down with immediate effect.

“Unfortunately one had to experience again a phenomenon that nobody deserves. Do players deserve this? Not at all. Do the supporters deserve this? Not at all? Do I deserve this? I cannot judge because I would be selfish and more subjective, but I don’t think players deserve this. I don’t think the supporters deserve this either. Honestly speaking, you look at it and ask do you still want to put people at risk? There is so much risk for these wonderful people who come and watch this match,” explains Komphela.

These cannot be Kaizer Chiefs supporters. They are hooligans! They must be found and brought to book. Our supporters are peaceful people. We are infiltrated! Khosi4Life… pic.twitter.com/YiWwZ8Hfj5

— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) April 22, 2018