Komphela praises Chaine and likens Mabasa to Haaland

Sipho Chaine might have finally etched himself into the hearts of Orlando Pirates faithful after his unforgettable heroics in the penalty shoot-out of the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

One person that never doubted the goalkeeper’s huge potential is Moroka Swallows head coach Steve Komphela who says he knew the 26-year-old was destined for big things from his days at Bloemfontein Celtic.

Chaine showed his qualities when he saved three penalties in the 3-1 over Sundowns last Saturday to silence his detractors.

“Go and ask Sipho what I told him, it was at Macufe Challenge and he played against Kaizer Chiefs,” Komphela recalled.

“I still remember vividly the colourful tights that he was wearing. I told him that ‘you are going to go places my friend’ and what happened against Sundowns is only shocking for those who don’t follow the game.”

Another player that is proving his critics wrong is Tshegofatso Mabasa. The striker is back to his best working under Komphela at the Dube Birds with six DStv Premiership goals in eight matches.

‘Unbelievable’

“What is happening to Mabasa will shock those who haven’t been keeping track of him. The guy has unbelievable striker’s qualities. He has brains for it and an instinct for it,” Komphela said about Mabasa before likening him to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.

“Above all, he smells where the ball is going to drop and that can only be found in special players that are designated for that special position. You don’t go to school and learn about where the ball is going to drop.

“How does Halaand know where the ball is going to drop? How did he learn that this one I’m going to take it first time? Mabasa has those (qualities) but who knew about them? Those who worked with him and who didn’t know about his qualities? Those that never had the opportunity to work with him.”

Mabasa will consider himself unlucky not to be in the Bafana Bafana squad for friendlies against Eswatini and Ivory Coast. Komphela is, however, not advocating for the former Pirates attacker to be picked for the national team.

“I’m a person who is not going to make a strong recommendation that my players or Swallows players must be in the national team,” he concluded.

“No, it is the responsibility of those who are given the opportunity to lead such environments but what I saw in him (Mabasa) at Bloemfontein Celtic is the same thing I saw in Sipho at Celtic.”