Kaizer Chiefs’ football manager Bobby Motaung said coach Ernst Middendorp broke the rules by complaining about Khama Billiat’s participation in the Warriors vs Somalia World Cup qualifier played in Harare on Tuesday.
Middendorp was not happy that Billiat risked his fitness by playing in the match after he had been sidelined by a pelvic injury a few days before the game.
However, Motaung disagreed with his coach. He said the issue will be dealt with internally by the club. Said Motaung:
Unfortunately, when the coach made those statements I was not there but I think he understands the rules.
I don’t know why he raised that issue because rules are rules and even if the player is injured he’s got to report to national team camp.
Doctors in national team camp have to make their own assessments based on our reports and they make a call.
National call-ups are national call-ups and there is no debate about them. The club has no right to refuse players from going to camp with their national team and I think it’s uncalled for from the coach to have made that statement and we will deal with the matter internally with the coach.