Steve Komphela says Itumeleng Khune always keeps Kaizer Chiefs in games

Komphela praised the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper for making some timely interventions in the goalless league draw with Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.

Khune has been in fine form for Chiefs this season since recovering from a chest infection, notably being named the Premiership Player of the Month for August/September after collecting three straight man-of-the-match awards.

Komphela felt the contest with Rise and Shine could have gone either way.

"I think one compliment must be given to Polokwane City, they gave us a good match, it could have gone either way. There were two chances that one remembers vividly where Itu had to pull out saves. One was a cross from [Rodney] Ramagalela and there was a header. Another one when Rendai Ndou turned inside the box, that was also a chance. That's what Itu does for us, he always keeps us in matches.

"And from us, I thought we had fair chances of our own. One from [Bernard] Parker in the first half, [Dumisani] Zuma had one where he tried to play it into the bottom corner. Pule [Ekstein] I'm sure had two chances. One from 'Shabba' [Siphiwe Tshabalala] that hit the upright. The match itself in general, both sets of players gave their best."

The former Maritzburg United mentor hopes his side can show more composure in front of goal going forward.

"If you were to convert the chances it would have been the difference between winning and losing. I think we have to go back and work on finishing. Even in the first half I said to them they have to be more calm because we are getting a lot of opportunities inside the box. We just need the nerve and calmness to take them."

The Glamour Boys next face Chippa United in the quarter-finals of the Telkom Knockout on Sunday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (15h30).