Chiefs face tough semi-final choice

Special Correspondent in PRETORIA

KAIZER Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral is facing a nervous wait to ascertain the fitness of star players Jose Torrealba and Gert Schalkwyk ahead of tomorrow‘s MTN8 second-leg semi-final clash against Moroka Swallows in Rustenburg.

The two influential players were visibly uncomfortable at training yesterday and Ertugral said he would take a decision this afternoon on whether to play them against Swallows.

“If there are still question marks on their fitness levels we will decide on whether to take risks. And we will decide which of the two players to risk.”

Torrealba could finish training while Schalkwyk spent yesterday on the sidelines doing fitness tests with physical trainer Elsa Storm.

Ertugral said the Venezuelan – who has been a revelation for Chiefs since arriving at Naturena last month – “has a problem with the muscles on his thigh”, while Schalkwyk is still trying to shake off the effects of too much attention from Swallows‘ Morgan Shivhambu last week.

The injury problems of his star forwards are the least of Ertugral‘s problems as he also has to decide on whether to field Emile Baron or Bafana Bafana No1 Itumeleng Khune in the goalkeeper‘s position.

Baron has hardly put a foot wrong and has not conceded a goal in the MTN8 while deputising for the suspended Khune.

And having completed his suspension, Khune‘s availability has suddenly given Ertugral a selection headache.

“Again, we will have to make some difficult decisions with the technical team because Emile has not conceded a goal. We will have to speak to them privately before the game.”

Khune was given the day off yesterday after playing in Bafana‘s 2-2 friendly draw with Australia in London on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper was on the receiving end of some rather harsh criticism from supporters who blamed him for the two goals Bafana conceded against the Socceroos.

Ertugral said he was not impressed by the criticism, some of which was unnecessarily vicious.

Chiefs take a two-goal cushion into Sunday‘s encounter after beating Swallows 2-0 in the first leg last week.

But Swallows midfielder Lefa Tsutsulupa warned yesterday that the game was far from over and Chiefs should expect a busy afternoon. “We have not given up hope of turning this tie around,” Tsutsulupa said.

“It is not over and the result has certainly not been decided yet. Sure, they managed to score two goals in the first leg. What is stopping us from doing the same in the second leg? It is not over.”

Chiefs could have midfield general Tinashe Nengomasha back in the team if he was registered as a South African citizen yesterday.

Nengomasha said he was expecting his citizenship to be completed yesterday. If the home affairs department processes the documents on time, the club could register him with the league immediately.