Bloemfontein Celtic head coach, Steve Komphela, has explained how he is preparing for the second half of the campaign, after losing two important defenders, Alfred Ndengane and Lorenzo Gordinho, to Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs respectively.
The duo were sensational at the heart of the Celtic defence which conceded only two goals from the first five matches. The quintet games were memorable for Siwelele with four wins and coming from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw with Kaizer Chiefs, at the FNB Stadium.
That impressive run saw Ndengane and Komphela named Player and Manager of the Month for August. Soon after that, the 31 year-old defender requested to be released by the club and speculations pointed him at Orlando Pirates, who later announced him.
Losing Ndengane didn’t stop Phunya Sele Sele. Another solid combination was then formed in the shape of the experienced, Wandisile Letlabika, and Gordinho. On the other hand, Chiefs had defensive problems of their own and that forced Amakhosi to recall the 24-year-old before schedule, with Gordinho only set to return at the end of the campaign.
The Benoni-born defender will re-join the Glamour boys in January. The red card he picked up against AmaZulu meant he has now bowed out in unwanted fashion, receiving his marching orders in what will be his last appearance for Celtic.
In the press conference after the game, when asked about losing Gordinho and Ndengange, Komphela said: “Ayikho into esingayenza [There is nothing we can do]. Kaizer Chiefs have a right because Gordinho is their player,” he said.
“When we introduced Thato Lingwati, we were sending a message saying, listen, now you have to take responsibility, and worse, Gordinho will leave. We going to miss him for the next two matches, and how many matches will be left? Only one match,” Komphela added.
Introducing Lingwati was just Komphela’s way of familiarising him with the situation as he is expected to be Gordinho’s replacement. Perhaps throwing the 26-year-old defender in the deep end could pay off – especially knowing the impressive defensive record that the former Chiefs mentor has boasted over the past few years.
Written by Banele Pikwa
