Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef has detailed the stomach bug ordeal that hit Amakhosi before their match against AS Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The Glamour Boys played to a goalless draw against Simba on Saturday afternoon in the crucial first leg of the Confederation Cup Second Preliminary Round, leaving the tie wide open for a place in the group stages.
Chiefs faced the DRC-based side, aiming to claim positive results and take an advantage heading into the second leg at Dobsonville Stadium next Saturday.
In a match against Simba, Chiefs had a slow start after the home side put them under immense pressure in defence. But the Soweto giants started gaining confidence in the game, and their best chance came on the stroke of half-time after Khanyisa Mayo‘s powerful shot struck the woodwork.
A few minutes later, Chiefs had a penalty appeal after Glody Lilepo was brought down in the box; however, the referee waved play on. In the second stanza, Chiefs had more opportunities to score and come home with a much-needed victory and away-goal advantage.
The second half brought agony for the visitors when substitute Ashley Du Preez received a perfect pass from Mduduzi Shabalala, only to fire his shot tamely over a yawning goal. Chiefs’ late pressure continued, but Mfundo Vilakazi’s superb free-kick in the dying minutes was narrowly tipped over the bar by the keeper, sealing the goalless stalemate.
WHAT BEN YOUSSEF SAID ABOUT THE STOMACH BUG IN CHIEFS’ CAMP
Khalil Ben Youssef dropped a bombshell after the stalemate in DR Congo, revealing that five Chiefs players suffered from a stomach bug and vomiting hours before kickoff, which he attributed to the hotel’s 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.
“Five of them were in a critical situation, and we were not sure if they could play, but I have to say congratulations to them, even though they were not 100% ready, but they fought for the team and took a risk with us.
“Another one is Lilepo; he got a small injury on his ankle, but he decided to play and fight for the team, and in the 65th minute, we saw that he couldn’t continue. We brought in Ashley because we know he can bring a lot of quality to the team with his speed. He got the opportunity to score, but he was unlucky.”
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