Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has conceded that he is frustrated by the situation of one of the experienced players at the club, Eric Mathoho.
The veteran defender, Mathoho, has only featured once for Chiefs this season, playing just one minute in the club’s 2-1 DStv Premiership victory over SuperSport United at FNB Stadium in September.
Mathoho’s absence from the starting line-up has raised questions about his future at Naturena.
During Amakhosi’s media open day at the club’s Naturena headquarters on Thursday, 16 February, Zwane said Mathoho was set to start Golden Arrows on Sunday, 19 February in Polokwane.
But due to an injury sustained in training this week, Zwane revealed that Mathoho will be out of action for a while.
A downhearted Zwane stated that he is annoyed by Mathoho’s injury situation as the defender’s contract expires at the end of the season.
KAIZER CHIEFS COACH ZWANE FRUSTRATED BY SITUATION OF ERIC MATHOHO
“We’ve been quite unfortunate when it comes to injuries in the squad,” said Zwane.
“Just a day before yesterday, we lost ‘Tower’ [Mathoho] again, whom we thought was getting close to starting and unfortunately, we lost him.
“I’m still waiting for the medical team’s report, and I’ll see them [Chiefs doctors] just before we resume training, and I will take it from there.
“But one thing that I know for sure is that ‘Tower’ is not going to be available for this one [Arrows game] and he might be out for a long time.
“I don’t know the extent of the injury because he went for a scan yesterday [Wednesday, 15 February], so I’m waiting for that report,” added Zwane.
Mathoho, 32, has been at Chiefs since 2012 and survived the chop when the club released a bunch of players at the beginning of the campaign to re-build a squad that will challenge for honours.
However, the imminent arrival of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe at Chiefs could spell the end of Mathoho’s career at the club, who is now seemingly injury-prone.
‘I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HIM BACK’
Probed about the nature of Mathoho’s injury, Zwane said: “It seemed like a groin [injury].
“We’re playing a practice match with our reserve team, and then he pulled a muscle and landed awkwardly, so he had to be taken off the field immediately.
“And when I looked at him, I was a bit worried as well, and it frustrated me so much that I was looking forward to seeing him back because of his leadership and his, discipline and commitment.
“Unfortunately, it looks like he is going to be out for quite some time but I can’t confirm at the moment until I get the medical team report, and then we’ll take it from there.”
RELATED STORY: Three reasons why Eric Mathoho is likely to leave Kaizer Chiefs