Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune continues to struggle with injuries and this time Amakhosi head coach Ernst Middendorp is shouldering the blame for Khune’s latest injury.

Having been out of competitive football for more than eight months, Khune returned to action last Tuesday during the 2-0 win over AmaZulu FC.

He lasted only 28 minutes in the 1-0 win over Baroka FC on Saturday night and had to be replaced by Daniel Akpeyi.


Middendorp was not clear on the type of injury sustained by Khune but he’s indicated that he could be out for few weeks and this is why she’s taking the blame for it.

Chiefs are three points clear at the top of the log with 16 points from seven matches.

When Akpeyi and Virgil Vries were committing a howler after another last season, Middendorp and his technical team were under pressure to bring Khune back but the shoulder injury stood in their way.

At some stage even former Bafana coach Stuart Baxter tried to put them under pressure to rush Khune back as he needed him for the AFCON. Middendorp says they ignored some important facts around Khune’s injury.


When Middendorp substituted Kearyn Baccus in the second half to bring in Willard Katsande, he was booed by the Chiefs fans and he was taken aback by that. He gives reasons why he had to take this decision.

Ahead of their game against Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening, Middendorp says he’s not pre-occupying his mind about a third win in a row but more focused on fielding a competitive squad.

He’s given a strong indication that junior international youngster Njabulo Blom will be part of the math day squad in the place of yet another injured player in Reeve Frosler.


Meanwhile, given the trigger happy nature of some PSL club owners, Baroka FC head coach Wedson Nyirenda was asked if he’s not worried about his future since his club has now lost three of their last four matches.


Nyirenda was also supported by Middendorp, who feels it will be a senseless decision by the Baroka management to get rid of the former Zambian national team coach, given the good work he’s done with Bakgaga in the last 18 months. – Report by Velile Mnyandu