Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Arthur Zwane has explained why he and Mamelodi Sundowns first-team coach Steve Komphela exchanged a warm embrace ahead of the game.
The two rival coaches were seen sharing a moment ahead of Sunday’s 1-1 draw, despite sitting on opposition benches.
Zwane later explained that he has a close relationship with Komphela from his playing days and Komphela’s time as Amakhosi head coach.
Big hug between Arthur Zwane and @komphelasteve before kickoff. #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/AaN4Qup9t3
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) May 8, 2022
“I have a special relationship with coach Steve,” he said when asked by iDiski Times journalist Lorenz Kohler.
“Coach Steve, as you know, he was my coach. When I came here, he was the assistant coach to coach Muhsin and before then actually I knew him as one of the leaders, as you know – he was one of my favourite defenders.
“From that time he went into the national team, and when I was caught up in the national team with Carlos Queiroz, he was assistant to him at the time and we bonded very well, we became very close.
“It so happened that he joined the club and the chemistry was second to none, from that moment we shared a lot and we’re very close. The gap between the reserve and first team was very close also.
“We’d play friendly matches between both teams and share ideas, actually he played a huge role in helping, coach Steve. Not only him, there are many other coaches , who played a role
“But coach Steve for the fact that he was head coach at Kaizer Chiefs, we had that relationship, even now we still talk, we share a lot of things. We are all students of the game.”
Zwane also explained that he has a close relationship with Rulani Mokwena, too, with both sharing a similar coaching path.
“Coach Rulani, we know each other from [a while back], we’re Khasi boys, we’re from Soweto,” he added.
“We started coaching [around the same time], while I was still playing, I started coaching. I had my own team in the ABC Motsepe League, that time it was Vodacom League. Coach Rulani the same, growing as a young coach.
“So we knew each other very well and we used to sort of share things together, also in terms of players. We know most of the youngsters who are doing well in and around Soweto. We’ll meet in those tournaments that are organised in Soweto.”
Story: Lorenz Kohler & David Kappel.
