Coaches have axe to grind with former employers

Bloemfontein Celtic coach Steve Komphela

by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG – THE return of the Absa Premiership after a weekend of intense MTN8 semifinal first leg games will see some coaches come up against clubs that dismissed them after forgettable stints last season.

Focus will be at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday as Steve Komphela leads his high-flying Bloemfontein Celtic against inconsistent Kaizer Chiefs.

Komphela has a score to settle with Chiefs following his unceremonious departure late last season as the side eventually finished another campaign, his third in charge, without silverware.

Celtic are enjoying a new lease of life under him and are joint log leaders with Bidvest Wits. Goal difference separates the two sides plus Celtic have a game in hand having played three matches to Wits’ four. Winless Chiefs are a lowly 13th.

Another coach with an axe to grind with his former employer is Eric Tinkler, who left Supersport United after a difficult 2017/18 campaign.

The newly-appointed Chippa United coach takes his charges to the Lucas Moripe Stadium outside Pretoria in another Wednesday’s encounter.

Tinkler will come up against his former assistant, Kaitano Tembo, the Zimbabwean mentor who has steadied the ship after his boss’ departure.

Elsewhere, Wits will host Amazulu at the Bidvest Stadium in Braamfontein.

Baroka FC will host returnees Highlands Park at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The two sides have a well-documented rivalry from their days in the first division.

Golden Arrows will entertain Polokwane City at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.

Free State Stars will welcome Cape Town City to Goble Park.

Unbeaten Black Leopards, who have made a decent start back in the Premiership, and struggling Orlando Pirates will open the midweek proceedings on Tuesday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

All matches will kick off at 19h30.

FULL FIXTURE
28 August
Black Leopards vs Orlando Pirates, Peter Mokaba Stadium

29 August
Golden Arrows vs Polokwane City, Princess Magogo Stadium
SuperSport United vs Chippa United, Lucas Moripe Stadium
Free State Stars vs Cape Town City, Goble Park
Bidvest Wits vs AmaZulu, Bidvest Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs vs Bloem Celtic, FNB Stadium
Baroka FC vs Highlands Park, Peter Mokaba Stadium.