Katsande not seeing eye-to-eye?

Willard Katsande has been a real stalwart for Kaizer Chiefs in recent years, playing a major role in their successes – however, his future at the club was recently thrown into doubt.

The Siya crew reported earlier this month that Amakhosi had rebuffed interest in the Zimbabwean – who was playing regularly – from Kuwait, and that there were hopes that the 33-year-old would ultimately see out the remainder of his career at Naturena.

Now though, with coach Ernst Middendorp having left the midfield enforcer out of his squad for three consecutive games - against The Magic FC, Polokwane City and Highlands Park - questions are being asked about Katsande’s future, while the crew recently reported that there has been some shock interest in the combative midfielder from Chiefs’ arch-rivals – Orlando Pirates.

The Soweto giants did indicate that the player was ‘rested’ against The Magic in the Nedbank Cup, though there was no official word following his absence against Polokwane. Last weekend, after claiming the three points against Highlands Park, Middendorp suggested that Katsande’s omission was due to a selection process.

“On our side it is the normal l way of choosing players. If we think the player should be in the 20 (for the match day squad), then we look into it with certain ideas. Sometimes players are in, sometimes players are out,” the German told the media.

Middendorp will be selecting his squad based on his tactical approach, however there are rumours circulating i l ti thattht theth formerf Ajax Aj Cape Town man is not seeing eyeto-eye with Middendorp’s assistant, Shaun Bartlett.

Siya sources revealed that Bartlett had questioned the loyalty and passion of some of the club’s older statesmen, while the player felt that they had been disrespected, and now there has been a breakdown in relations that could have led to the veteran midfielder having been left out of the match day squads.

It’s important to note that a clash of personalities is nothing new in football, especially during trying times; however, should the rumours be true then the club will be eager to sort things out as soon as possible given Katsande’s efforts over the years and Bartlett’s status as a former player.