Cape Town – Steve Komphela has hit the ground running, after his Golden Arrows beat Maritzburg United 2-0 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban on Sunday.
Prior to the start of this fixture, the jury had always been out on which coach would better adapt to his new environment. Both KwaZulu-Natal clubs required some saving after the Christmas break.
However, it was probably more important that Muhsin Ertugral restore some much-needed confidence at Maritzburg United. However, after Sunday's developments relegation appears more realistic than ever.
Komphela arrived at Golden Arrows having already done some meaningful work at Bloemfontein Celtic this season. In reality he should still be in Bloemfontein, continuing with the now unfinished business.
The less said about that the better.
His impact at Arrows post the Christmas break has been immediate. Goals from Knox Mutizwa in the 10th minute and João Moreira two minutes after the interval proved the redeeming factors after what was otherwise a messy and ill-disciplined affair.
Moreira's goal was perhaps most significant, given that he had come on off the bench just one minute before breaching the opposition defence.
Five yellow cards were issued by the match official on Sunday, while Wayde Jooste was sent off after 65 minutes.That makes the Arrows victory all the more remarkable.
After 15 rounds, Maritzburg United find themselves stranded at the bottom of the Premiership standings.
Meanwhile, Arrows have found some mobility once again, having leap-frogged AmaZulu and slotted in at 10th on the Absa Premiership standings.
