Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has has given a comprehensive exlplanation as to why Zimbabwe international Khama Billiat was not in the match day squad for last night’s game against Black Leopards.

Billiat is reportedly wanted by Mamelodi Sundowns and his absence from the squad for last night’s game led to some tounges wagging.  Middendorp however demystified any transfer rumour as a reason for the 28-year-old’s exclusion.

“This is certainly of interest to the nation. But Khama Billiat – and let me try to simplify it. The chairman (Kaizer Motaung), the football manager (Bobby Motaung), the marketing team and the technical team – everybody – knows exactly what is happening,” he said as stated by Soccer Laduma. 

“Khama came back from Afcon and we have seen there is an issue with this left knee. He joined us on July 15 and stayed for four days in camp. Then we travelled to Botswana and he didn’t go with us. I would not have played him in the Carling Black Label Cup, but we said it’s fine because he was voted and we had to honour that. But immediately after he was in pain and it was an issue. So we decided as a team, advised by the medical team, and he got a scan and the results showed us that he had some bruises on his left knee and we had to be careful with it. This means we had to manage him for three weeks and our next game is on August 24 and he will be available then. I have repeated myself and now I am giving more details. I can assure you that the player is fully aware of this and everybody at the club knows how we are managing this situation.” explained the coach.