I don’t have to apologise – Lentjies
Chippa man has shoulder injury
Chippa United midfielder Kurt Lentjies says he will not apologise for the collision that has put into doubt Itumeleng Khune’s participation in Bafana Bafana’s crucial World Cup qualifiers this week.
Lentjies collided with Khune late in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal clash that Kaizer Chiefs won 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.
Khune suffered a bone fracture to his face and is, as a result, doubtful for Bafana’s 2018 qualifier against Senegal at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, and away in Dakar next Tuesday.
Lentjies, 32, sustained a dislocated left shoulder and mild concussion.
Despite him also getting hurt, some supporters have been blaming Lentjies for putting Bafana’s World Cup hopes at risk, with others labelling him a traitor.
When Sowetan asked him whether he had been in touch with Khune, he said: “You make it seem as if I should apologise.
“Why would I injure myself like this? I am worse off after that collision. I haven’t spoken with Itu, I don’t even have his number.”
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United midfield cog hopes to be back after roughly two weeks.
“I am recovering at home. I saw the doctor on Monday and will go see him again this week,” he added.
In his narration of the accident, Lentjies said: “The ball went up in the air and of course my eyes were focused on the ball and the next thing there were two impacts when I hit the goalkeeper [Khune] and when I hit the ground.
“I don’t remember much about what happened afterwards. The next thing I woke up at the hospital. I didn’t even realise I was stretchered off the field.”