Kaizer Chiefs boss Fernando Da Cruz misses interview after falling ill

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard said head coach Fernando Da Cruz was receiving medical attention after falling ill, following the club’s third successive draw in the Betway Premiership.

Da Cruz did not take part in his scheduled post-match interview with SuperSport TV. Sheppard instead handled media duties and explained that the Frenchman had been vomiting.

“Coach has fallen ill. He was vomiting. So he is with the doctors, checking on him,” Sheppard said at the post-match press conference.

The result was Kaizer Chiefs’ fifth draw in their last six league games, leaving them with only one win in that sequence and causing them to lose ground in the race for a place in the top three.

Amakhosi remain unbeaten, but are now nine points behind Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, although they have played one game fewer.

Abrahams removed from starting line-up

There was also uncertainty over Faiz Abrahams’ involvement before kick-off.

The Stellenbosch loanee was initially included in the starting XI published by Kaizer Chiefs through the club’s WhatsApp channel. However, he was later removed completely from the team sheet.

Sheppard confirmed that Kaizer Chiefs had prepared to field the midfielder against Stellenbosch, his parent club, before a late issue forced a change to the line-up.

“I don’t want to comment too much about it. I don’t really know too much, leading up to it,” Sheppard said.

“Obviously we had prepared the game with him and then there were some issues and we couldn’t start him.”