Steve Komphela biography: age, nationality, children, wife, education, teams coached
Steve Komphela’s biography reflects the journey of a dedicated South African football figure who has made his mark both as a player and a coach. Born in Kroonstad, South Africa, Komphela transitioned from being a professional defender to a respected coach, leading multiple teams in the Premier Soccer League and beyond.
Source: Facebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Steve Komphela profile summary
- Steve Komphela's biography
Key takeaways
- He is a former professional defender and captained the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, in the early 1990s.
- Komphela has coached multiple Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams, including Kaizer Chiefs, Golden Arrows, Free State Stars, and Mamelodi Sundowns (as part of the technical team).
- He is well-educated, holding qualifications in sports management and coaching, which complement his football expertise.
- Komphela’s contribution to South African football as a player and coach has cemented his reputation as a respected figure in the sport.
Steve Komphela profile summary
| Full name | Stephen Mbuyi Komphela |
| Date of birth | July 1, 1967 |
| Place of birth | Golden Valley farm, Kroonstad, South Africa |
| Age | 58 years old (as of 2025) |
| Gender | Male |
| Nationality | South African |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Mamoepi Komphela |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | Jack Koyi Koyo and Nomalanga Komphela |
| Siblings | 11 |
| Profession | former professional South African footballer |
| Net worth | $4 million |
| Social media | Instagram(X) TwitterFacebook |
Steve Komphela's biography
Steve Komphela is a renowned South African football coach, former professional player, and motivational figure in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Born on 1 July 1967 in Golden Valley farm near Kroonstad, Free State, he is celebrated for his leadership both on and off the pitch.
How old is Steve Komphela?
As of 2025, the football legend is 58 years old. He was born on 1 July 1967 in Kroonstad, Free State, South Africa.
He was raised in Kroonstad, Free State, where Sesotho (Southern Sotho) is the mother tongue for most of the population. As the youngest of eleven in a Free State family, Sesotho was likely Steve Komphela’s home language, spoken in his household during his upbringing.
Source: Original
Family
Steve was born in Golden Valley Farm, which is about 20 kilometres away from Kroonstad. He is the youngest child of Nomalanga Komphela and Jack Koyi Koyo, who had 10 other children.
Education
After completing his primary and secondary education, he studied to become a professional teacher and got a teacher's diploma from Free State's Tshiya College.
Career
According to his profile, he started playing football at Klerksdorp City in the NSL Second Division before joining Qwa Qwa Stars. Komphela helped the club gain promotion to the National Soccer League (NSL).
In 1992, his team had an impressive season that saw them finish third, and he was voted the NSL Players' Player of the Year. Steve later played for other teams, including the Kaizer Chiefs and Gaziantepspor in Turkey (1993), before hanging up his boots in 1997.
Internationally, he helped start the new national team for South Africa after the country's readmission to FIFA. His debut came in 1992 when Bafana Bafana beat Cameroon 1-0. Up until 1995, he played almost 50% of all the national games, but missed the 1996 African Cup of Nations.
His coaching career started in 2002 when he landed a role as the manager of Manning Rangers F.C. Steve managed several clubs between that time and 2015, where he stayed on each team for one season only. He joined the Kaizer Chiefs in 2015 and signed a 3-year contract.
Steve Komphela resigns
The South African tactician resigned as the Chiefs coach on April 21, 2018, after a 2-0 defeat to Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. The team had failed to win a major trophy during his tenure, sparking demonstrations from fans who demanded that he step down.
Komphela moved to Bloemfontein Celtics for the 2018-19 Premier Soccer League, winning his first six games in charge. He even pulled a 2-2 draw against his former club, the Chiefs, and beat Orlando Pirates.
Source: Facebook
Teams coached by Steve Komphela
The coach has built an extensive coaching résumé, managing clubs and national teams across South Africa, with an impressive list of teams coached throughout his career:
- Manning Rangers (2002–2003)
- Dynamos (2003–2004)
- South Africa U‑20 (caretaker, 2004)
- Maritzburg United (2006–2007)
- South Africa U‑23 (2005–2008)
- Free State Stars (2008–2009; 2010–2013)
- Platinum Stars (2009–2010)
- South Africa (caretaker, 2012)
- Maritzburg United (again, 2014–2015)
- Kaizer Chiefs (2015–2018)
- Bloemfontein Celtic (2018–2019)
- Golden Arrows (2019–2020; and briefly in 2024)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (as senior coach, 2020–2023; returned mid‑2024)
- Moroka Swallows (head coach, July 2023–early 2024)
Steve Komphela rejoined Mamelodi Sundowns, his current team, on July 6, 2024, as Senior Coach, assisting Manqoba Mngqithi. He previously held the same role from 2020 to 2023, then coached Moroka Swallows and briefly Golden Arrows before returning.
Who is Steve Komphela's wife?
Steve is married to Mamoepi Komphela, who is known for living a very private life. While she is rarely seen in public or media appearances, she has occasionally featured in family photos shared by their children.
Steve Komphela's wife's pics are barely online since she always keeps a private life. The couple is blessed with three daughters: Nombuyiselo, Nomalanga, and Noxolo Komphela. Among them, Nomalanga is the most active on social media and sometimes shares family moments, which may include her mother.
Steve Komphela's salary
The Sundowns' tactician has often ranked among the highest-paid PSL managers. In the 2023–24 season, Steve Komphela earned about R500,000–R600,000 per month (~R6–7.2 million annually). IOL reports his 2025 salary rose to around R700,000 monthly.
Steve Komphela's cars
The sportsman is a lover of fast cars. In 2015, he was spotted with a Lamborghini Gallardo worth around R3 million. Steve was also seen driving a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon in 2023, worth around R1.2 million.
A YouTube video posted in September 2024 showed the coach driving a Lamborghini Spyder Auto Gallardo worth around R3 million.
The book
The renowned football manager once hinted at writing an autobiography. However, there are no latest reports about it as fans keep waiting.
Was Steve Komphela a teacher?
Yes, Steve was briefly a teacher before fully committing to football. He earned a teaching diploma from Tshiya College in the Free State and worked as a teacher for a short period. This experience shaped his discipline, leadership, and communication skills, which later became key to his motivational coaching style.
What qualifications does Steve Komphela have?
He obtained a teaching diploma from Tshiya College of Education in the Free State (formerly QwaQwa), graduating around 1990. He also pursued higher education and enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts coursework, although he did not complete the full degree due to relocating to Turkey in pursuit of football opportunities.
Where is Steve Komphela now?
Komphela currently serves as senior coach on the technical team at Mamelodi Sundowns, assisting head coach Manqoba Mngqithi. He was appointed to this role on July 6, 2024, following the departure of Rulani Mokwena.
Before his return, Komphela had left Sundowns in July 2023 to become head coach of Moroka Swallows, then later had a short stint with Golden Arrows before re-joining Sundowns.
What was Steve Komphela's famous quote?
Steve Komphela is known for several other memorable and philosophical quotes that reflect his humour, wit, and motivational mindset. Here are a few of his standout lines:
1. On Coaching Pressure
“Already there are two ways in coaching – entrance and exit; hired and fired.”
Meaning: He acknowledged the unpredictable nature and short lifespan of coaching jobs.
2. On Clubs Firing Coaches
“We are the biggest toilet in the world. Whenever we want to relieve ourselves, it is the easiest to get rid of the coach.”
Meaning: He uses humour to highlight how clubs often blame coaches first when results go wrong.
3. On Handling Criticism
“You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”
Meaning: Stay adaptable and focused on what you can control, even amid challenges.
4. On Teamwork and Unity
“If one wheel of the car is flat, the whole car suffers.”
Meaning: Every player and staff member matters in achieving success as a team.
Trivia
- Steve Komphela is the youngest of eleven siblings in a large family
- He studied teaching and briefly worked as a teacher
- The coach learned Turkish fluently during his playing career in Turkey
- He hosted a Turkish TV talk show while playing abroad
- Steve is a former Bafana Bafana defender and national team captain in the early 1990s
- He is known for discipline and motivational quotes, some of which have gone viral
Steve Komphela’s biography showcases a life devoted to football, family, and mentorship. From his early playing days to managing top-flight clubs, he has consistently demonstrated resilience and tactical insight. Komphela’s journey continues to inspire both players and aspiring coaches in South Africa and across the continent.
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