Igesund’s woes worsen

Khune injury claims could be final straw for Bafana coach

KAIZER Motaung put what could be the final nail in Gordon Igesund’s coffin this week when he disputed the beleaguered Bafana Bafana coach’s claims that goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was injured ahead of the infamous African Nations Championship (CHAN) match against Nigeria in January.

Igesund cited injury when he dropped Khune — his place was taken by goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs — ahead of a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria that, embarrassingly, sent Bafana crashing out at the group stage.

But the Kaizer Chiefs owner was adamant that the injury was exaggerated and said Khune would not have played in his club’s league match against Mamelodi Sundowns just days after Bafana’s CHAN exit if he was not fit.

“They (Bafana camp) sent Khune back from the team saying he was injured, but our medical team examined him and declared him fit,” said Motaung.

“That is why he played against Mamelodi Sundowns.”

Igesund is now hanging on to his job by a thread as Motaung’s revelation has got advocate Norman Arendse interested.

Arendse is the head of a task team set up by the South African Football Association (Safa) to investigate allegations that Igesund influenced players to demand bonuses ahead of CHAN in January.

The task team is also investigating allegations of soccer agents influencing Bafana selections.

Arendse confirmed that Khune was one of the key witnesses who will be asked to give evidence.

Safa chief executive Dennis Mumble and head of delegation Gerald Don — who had oversight of the players while they were in camp in Cape Town during CHAN — are also on the list of 16 witnesses.

“Itumeleng Khune is one of our key witnesses and we have to ask him, when he appears, if he was really injured before the Nigeria game,” Arendse said.

“From the information we have, I have to say he is a key witness. There is a lot at stake for the national team coach. His reputation is also at stake.”

Igesund referred all inquiries about Khune’s injury to Bafana doctor Carl Tabane, who insisted that the goalkeeper was injured ahead of the Nigeria encounter.

An emotional Tabane said he was prepared to put his head on the block and even go to court to prove his stance.

‘‘I want to make this clear to all and sundry that after our secondlast game (against Mali), Khune called me and complained about his ankle,” said Tabane.

“I diagnosed him and his an-

We could not risk playing him because it was going to aggravate his injury

kle was swollen. Even the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town confirmed the injury. He had an existing problem. We treated it, but he was not going to recover in time for our game against Nigeria. Besides, we could not risk playing him because it was going to aggravate his injury.

“The estimated recovery period was seven days and it did not come as a surprise that he was able to play for Chiefs in their game against Sundowns. And I am prepared to provide proof to that effect.”

A Safa insider said that Igesund will not be in charge when Bafana travel to Sydney to play against Australia in a friendly match in May. Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba is expected to take over as interim coach.

Arendse’s task team will sit on April 2, 3, 4 and 5, and their final report will be handed over to the Safa national executive committee on April 15.

Khune could not be reached for comment.