Komphela proud of Stars’ run
Steve Komphela said he was proud of his club’s run in the Nedbank Cup, including taking the scalps of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, but realistic that they stood no chance away against Mamelodi Sundowns after having a player sent off early in the game.
Stars lost 2-0 in Saturday’s semifinal at Atteridgeville after eliminating Chiefs and Pirates in the previous round.
Striker Dove Wome was sent off against Sundowns after just 20 minutes for needless stamping on an opponent and a shell-shocked Stars conceded two goals soon after.
“You cannot give a team like Sundowns an advantage like that and expect that you will have a chance against them,” said Komphela.
“We were drawn away against Pirates in the second round, against Chiefs in the quarterfinal and then against Sundowns. You have to be realistic then about your chances.”
Komphela added any side who wanted cup success had to be prepared to beat all the best teams. “I’m very proud of what my boys did in this cup but in the end we could not carry it all the way to the final.”
Komphela said he accepted the red card for Wome and that is was a rough and unnecessary challenge. This was the obvious turning point in the game, he added.
“In the first 20 minutes you could see both teams were very cautious, they got players quickly behind the ball when they were not in possession.
“But we didn’t have enough power to threaten the Sundowns back four.”
