Chiefs rocked as star fractures leg
It was a sombre Kaizer Chiefs changeroom despite the club cantering to their first win of the season by beating Free State Stars 3-0 in an MTN8 quarterfinal on Saturday night at FNB Stadium.
The win came at a huge cost for Amakhosi who lost two of their star players in Joseph Molangoana and Siphelele Ntshangase who were both stretchered off with injuries. Molangoana came out worst after a collision with Makhehleni Makhaola and suffered a fractured leg which is likely to keep him out for several months.
Coach Giovanni Solinas said his changeroom was deathly quiet with some players even crying.
“We are shocked because we lost a nice guy. We dedicate the win to Joseph. He suffered a serious injury and I hope he makes a quick recovery. I am happy with the result but sad for my player. But this is life. This is football.
“My players were very shocked in the dressing-room. I spoke to Rama (Ramahlwe Mphahlele) and he is very upset. We have lost an important player. But this is football and life has to go on.
“Ntshangase took a knock on his ankle and I hope it is not serious,” said Solinas. Chiefs said they would give a full update on the injuries at a later stage.
Solinas was however impressed by the way his side had bounced back after a bad result three days earlier and secured an important win which guarantees them a place in the semifinals.
“Today was a step forward. We need to continue in the same manner but the road is still long. When we were leading 2-0 we needed to keep the ball and sometimes we play too quickly and take hasty decisions when it is not necessary. We need to keep calm and be comfortable on the ball. But step by step we are improving,” said the Italian coach.
Solinas’ next assignment is an Absa Premiership match at Baroka FC tomorrow night and hopes to clinch their first league victory.
Stars’ Luc Eymael said he was disappointed with some of his players who didn’t show the commitment he was expecting from them. He also wished Molangoana a speedy recovery from his injury.
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