Ertugral blasts Kaizer Chiefs

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates manager Muhsin Ertugral has blasted Amakhosi over their treatment of club captain Itumeleng Khune.

Ertugral not happy with Chiefs over Khune treatment

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs boss Muhsin Ertugral has hit out at the club over their handling of captain and legend Itumeleng Khune.

Khune was stripped of the captaincy in December 2023 after reportedly arriving at training under the influence of alcohol. His subsequent suspension was lifted last month but he’s still frozen out from the first team.

“It was sad for me to see. You don’t treat a player in that capacity (like that),” Ertugral told iDiski Times

“In his most difficult times, he needs to have something to hold on to. And I couldn’t see that by Kaizer Chiefs. I mean, I can only say that now from the outside, I’m not involved, I don’t want to trigger negativity, but it could have helped him.

“It was a couple of years ago, the same story. And I’ve made it publicly, I remember that when I said publicly out, they should know there is only one Itu, there is no second Itu and there will never be a second Itu coming up in the next 50 years.”

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune remains mum on his future at Naturena. Image Source: (@ItumelengKhune/Instagram)

Ertugral mentions Jabu Mahlangu as a reference point

Turkish tactician Ertugral, who also coached Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates for a stint, discussed Jabu Mahlangu, formerly known as Jabu Pule, and Thabo Mooki as players who struggled with personal demons but justified their selection in football teams owing to their talent.

“Do you think that Jabu Pule was easy, do you think that Doctor Khumalo was easy, do you think Thabo Mooki was easy? Do you think that Arthur Zwane and Cyril Nzama were always easy? But they’re unbelievable artists, unbelievable,” he said.

KAIZER CHIEFS WANT BIG MONEY FOR CASTILLO

According to Soccer Laduma, Chiefs were open to an offer from Egyptian giants Zamalek. That is, provided they met Amakhosi’s evaluation of the player. That number stood at R40 million, a shade under €2 million.

“Now that the inquiry has reached the management stage, they have come up with the price that will fit Castillo if he is to leave before his contract expires. He is a quality player and for him to attract interest from outside means they have seen something and that’s why the board and management think the right price is around R40 million,” the publication said.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Edson Castillo celebrates a goal in the MTN8. Image: @safootclassics/X.

CLICK TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY FOOTBALL FANATIC JAMES FREEMANTLE.

Also, follow The South African on X for up-to-the-minute news updates.