Komphela discusses formula to stop Stellenbosch FC’s ‘crazy’ front runners

Moroka Swallows head coach Steve Komphela has discussed a formula that his side plans to use to defend the counter-attacks of Stellenbosch FC.

Stellies are hosting the Dube Birds in the DStv Premiership clash at the Danie Craven stadium on Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm. 

The Winelands side won the previous three meetings between the clubs, one in the Nedbank Cup and two in the league.

Swallows have not tasted a victory against the Western Cape side since both sides earned promotions to the top-flight.

The Soweto giants lost their previous league game 1-0 to Richards Bay FC and are looking to get back to winning ways. Meanwhile, Stellies drew 0-0 with Golden Arrows in their last match.

Speaking about how Swallows will approach Stellenbosch’s task, Komphela said they have to deprive Steve Barker’s men of the ball. And they also need to be compact to prevent them from getting a space to run.

STEVE KOMPHELA ON HOW HIS SIDE WILL DEFEND STELLENBOSCH FC COUNTER-ATTACKS

“Stellies, counter-attack? They won’t let you have the ball as well. As soon as they get it, their front runners are crazy, they just get behind the line,” said Komphela.

“We have seen it, we have known it before and I think the one thing that we would need to do, how we utilize the ball, how we look after the ball – If we commit the errors we committed on Saturday [against Richard’s Bay on a 0-1 lose], we won’t find joy. 

“So we need to be smarter, play with more confidence but if we can take the same performance we had in the second half [against Richards Bay] where we looked after the ball.

“We were brave and not scared and there were very few counter-attacks and we never exposed the ball because every time we send the ball to a team that plays on a counter-attack, you are in trouble, so you cannot.

“So we need to play more with security on the ball and maybe close to one another so that if it gets lost, we are in a position of a counter press because if it goes long, the distances are big.

“You cannot counter-press, so you then have to drop and if they [Stellenbosch] play the ball early this is what will happen as it happened on Saturday,” he added.

Story by Mashale Mpho Mabotja

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