Kaizer Chiefs Coach Opens Up About Stomach Bug Struggle Affecting 5 Players
- Khalil Ben Youssef opened up on the challenges Kaizer Chiefs face during their goalless draw against AS Simba in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- The Soweto giants' co-coach acknowledged that the team were affected by a stomach bug ahead of the game
- He also confirmed that their star player had to play the match through pain as he was nursing an ankle injury
Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef has shared the challenges faced by Amakhosi due to a stomach bug affecting several players ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup match against AS Simba at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.
Source: Instagram
The Glamour Boys were held to a goalless draw by Simba on Saturday in the critical first leg of the Confederation Cup Second Preliminary Round, keeping the tie evenly poised for a spot in the group stages.
Amakhosi will host the Congolese side at the FNB Stadium next weekend and will need a win to progress to the next round.
Ben Youssef comments on stomach bug
Khalil Ben Youssef made a revelation after Kaizer Chiefs’ goalless draw in DR Congo, disclosing that five players were struck by a stomach bug and vomiting just hours before kickoff, a situation he believes was caused by the hotel food.
“I have to say congratulations to our players, they woke up with diarrhoea and vomiting before the match. I don’t know what happened with the food,” Ben Youssef said.
According to the Chiefs' assistant coach, five players were in critical condition, and the technical team wasn’t sure whether they would be able to feature in the game.
“Even though they were not 100% ready, they fought for the team and took a risk with us,” he added.
Ben Youssef also revealed that Glody Lilepo played through pain after sustaining an ankle injury but eventually had to be substituted.
Source: Getty Images
“He decided to play and fight for the team, but in the 65th minute, we saw he couldn’t continue. We brought in Ashley [Du Preez] because we knew his speed could give us something extra. He had a great chance to score but was unlucky.”
Here is what fans are saying about the stomach bug issue:
Asher Asher said:
"Chiefs must order their own foods when playing away games in African Continent same like Sundowns did it."
Djedje Rogers wrote:
"If they had won could they speak about stomach bug,when Mayo nd Hamilton Dupreez missed those impossible to mic chances it was bcz of the stomach bug?🤣🤣🤣"
Ntodeni Khorommbi reacted:
"Learn from Sundowns, you always take your own food when playing in most African countries."
Lucas Roger Thabakanaka commented:
"It's nothing you we used to DuPreez missing obvious sitters so we fine, there's nothing we can do with this guy 😭😔 he is good at running like Noah Lyles I think he can represent mzansi well at Olympics and world championships"
Esaya Maluleke shared:
"Illness or not illness coaches must spoke about willing games because the game has played that's not excused!"
Bongani Zwane added:
"Pirates once experienced such in Congo, 3 of their players were withdrawn from the matchday squad and people act as if they don't know."
Ben Youssef explained why Chiefs drew
Briefly News earlier reported that Ben Youssef explained why Kaizer Chiefs drew against AS Simba in their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg.
The Amakhosi coach complained about some of the things he was not happy about in the game.
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Source: Briefly News
