It might have been the sight of a disorganised, relegation-threatened Maritzburg United plummeting to a 3-0 defeat against Wits University on Saturday that finally sent Steve Komphela scurrying back to Amaglug-glug with his tail between his legs on Monday — abandoning plans to coach the KwaZulu-Natal Premier League club in the process.
Komphela had come up with the far-fetched scheme of coaching both the South African Under-23 team and Maritzburg United at what are clearly critical times for both — but an avalanche of hostile opinion short-circuited the ploy, and the coach is again ensconced in the Amaglug-glug camp as attempts to qualify for the 2008 Olympics approach a critical stage.
This was confirmed by South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Raymond Hack, who said he had been approached by Komphela to withdraw the proposition of occupying simultaneous coaching positions at the helm of Maritzburg United and Amaglug-glug.
”The matter would have been discussed by the Safa management board,” said Hack, ”but I think Steve realised after careful consideration that it would be impractical to take on both jobs at the same time.”
He said that after heart-to-heart discussions with Komphela the matter had been laid to rest, and the Amaglug-glug coach would resume his duties as though nothing had happened.
”The South African Under-23 team is approaching a crucial stage,” said Hack, ”with a great deal at stake while pursuing Olympic Games qualifying — and helping to lay the foundation for a successful Bafana Bafana squad for the 2010 World Cup.
”We certainly don’t need any diversions right now, and Steve is already immersed in the business of planning and preparing Amaglug-glug for the road ahead.”
Komphela, however, can hardly be whitewashed entirely for introducing the diversions himself — and many believe Safa have acted generously after the the Amaglug-glug coach had made it clear he intended to link up with Maritzburg United.
Maritzburg, in the meantime, now find themselves between the devil and the deep blue sea after already announcing Komphela as the club’s new coach. — Sapa