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Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Police fired tear gas and stun grenades in Durban Saturday to disperse angry Kaizer Chiefs fans after the club suffered a shock South African FA Cup semi-final defeat.
Chiefs’ players had to sprint to the changeroom when furious supporters invaded the pitch following a 2-0 loss to Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Indian Ocean port city.
There were unconfirmed reports that coach Steve Komphela had resigned after the latest setback for the Soweto club in a bleak, trophy-less season.
Full time score: Kaizer Chiefs 0 : 2 Free State Stars (Tchilimbou 1’, 34’) #KCOneTeam #NedbankCup
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) April 21, 2018
Spectators wearing Chiefs colours thrashed television equipment and set fire to some seats at a venue built for the 2010 World Cup.
An eyewitness who requested anonymity told AFP they saw a female security guard being assaulted by some supporters.
“It was chaotic,” the eyewitness said. “The rampage appeared to catch the police and security guards by surprise initially. I was frightened.”
Only this week Chiefs were fined 250,000 rand (about $20,500/17,000 euros) after supporters recently flung plastic bottles on the pitch following a heavy league defeat.
Supporters of the famed Soweto club, who have won more trophies than any other football club in the republic, are angry after three seasons without a trophy.
Breaking News: Steve Komphela has resigned with immediate effect as head coach of Kaizer Chiefs! More news to follow #KCOneTeam
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) April 21, 2018
The last chance of silverware this season disappeared with the loss to Free State Stars, a club without any big-name players from a small central South African town.
Plastic bottles and other missiles were hurled at Chiefs’ dugout during the closing minutes of the cup tie when it became obvious that the last chance of glory this season was disappearing.
Komphela has been the main target of furious fans for some months and his contract expires this June.
