Chiefs in the dark over Mbesuma
Chiefs in the dark over Mbesuma

Posted in News on Jul 16, 2004.

Kaizer Chiefs will play their Vodacom Challenge final against DRC side AS Vita on Saturday without Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma who is yet to report back to the club after playing for Zambia in the 2006 World Cup qualifier against Senegal on July 3.

Mbesuma did missed the semifinals of this four-team off-season competition on Mmabatho last Sunday. The young striker is yet to contact his employers. Club chairman Kaizer Motaung said on Friday that the Naturena side has written a letter to the Football Association of Zambia enquiring about the player without success.

“We have written a letter to Fifa and the Football Association of Zambian, who are also in the dark about the whereabouts of the player,” said Motaung.

Amakhosi made it to the final after a marathon penalty shoot-out session. Their arsenal battled to locate target and with Mbesuma away, the Chiefs technical staff will have to try other options. David Radebe had a number of chances but could not find target and was replaced at the start of the second half.

Motaung said the team was ready to defend their title and perhaps win the Kudu Horn for a record fourth time.

“Playing at Soccer City for the final will definitely be ideal to our style of play and having had a week of training, I think the boys should be ready for AS Vita. We also had a chance to see our opponents in action and we know what to expect.

“We urge the players to ensure that we settle the score quite early and not wait for the shoot-out. For some reason I think our opposition played for penalties because their keepers are good when it comes to this and hopefully it doesn’t get to that,” said Motaung.

Meanwhile, Motaung has revealed that two clubs have shown interest in want-away midfielder Jabulani Mendu.

“We have received inquiries from two clubs on the possibility of signing him but they are yet to forward their proposals to us. We would like to wish Jabulani Mendu wherever he will go and we are also excited that Stiga (Stanton Fredericks) secured a contract overseas. We hope he does well and do us all proud in Russia,” said Motaung.

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