Steve Komphela’s emotional thoughts ahead of Sundowns clash

Moroka Swallows coach Steve Komphela has shared his ’emotional’ thoughts ahead of his first meeting with his former employers, Mamelodi Sundowns, since parting ways.

The Dube Birds are set to take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Saturday, 12 August 2023, at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

This will be Komphela’s first date with Mamelodi Sundowns since the end of their marriage in June 2023.

The well-travelled tactician joined Moroka Swallows early last month after a three-year romance with the Tshwane giants.

Interestingly, the Swallows coach Steve Komphela later revealed controversial reasons for not opting to extend his stay at the Tshwane giants.

However, he is first to admit that his return to the Mamelodi Sundowns fortress as an opponent is emotional.

It will also be the same for the midfielder enforcer Andile Jali who will be facing the Rulani Mokwena-coached side for the first time since his exit.

WHAT STEVE KOMPHELA SAID

“It’s going to be exciting, obviously and in as much as I spent three years at Sundowns and Andile [Jali] spent so many years,” said Komphela in Soweto.

“He [Jali] got so many medals with them and has got so many friends there and a share a lot of memories.

“Partly maybe emotional but professional, we have to go on with our business. Our project still needs to hit a positive note, and we are facing a very good Mamelodi Sundowns team.”

The former Kaizer gaffer faces Sundowns on the backfoot of a defeat at the hands of Cape Town City in a DStv Premiership clash at home. Swallows lost the game 1-0.

“We just have to prepare ourselves looking at what we want to achieve and putting it up against Sundowns. And without coming with ridiculous expectations that we will beat Sundowns and all that.

“I have to go and tell myself that I am testing our project, so how best can I when I am playing against the current champions?

“Let me see how this template could match if I am playing against the best team. It’s exciting, every player and coach would want to play such matches,” added Komphela.

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