CAF CC: ‘It was an excuse!’ Chiefs slammed after ‘difficult pitch’ comment in win over ZESCO

Despite their 1-0 win over ZESCO United in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup in Ndola on Sunday, Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef was unhappy with the Levy Mwanawas Stadium’s pitch.

The tactician said it made it tough for his players to freely express themselves even after labouring to a slim win against a team they had not defeated, initially in the competition.

However, ZESCO coach Mathews Ndlovu insists the argument was out of place since in this stage, teams should be prepared for challenges. He felt it was an excuse generated by the Soweto giants.

We won’t even complain when we play at FNB

“I think it is how you understand whatever pitch he was playing into, because at this stage where we are, you are challenged at any pitch,” he told the media.

“For them, it that was their excuse, we won’t even complain when we travel to their stadium. But football is played on the pitch. Unfortunately he came out like that.

“To us, we have been training on the same pitch. The result shouldn’t determine that, we play on the same pitch.

“We made a mistake, they utilized it. We couldn’t clear, they scored. Does the pitch favor mistakes? It’s how you apply yourselves,” Ndlovu concluded.

On Sunday, ZESCO will be in South Africa playing the Glamour Boys hoping to avenge the loss.