Kaizer Chiefs reveal food poisoning scare in DR Congo before draw with AS Simba

Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef has complained about a stomach bug that affected their players before their goalless draw against AS Simba in their CAF Confederation Cup.

Chiefs played out a barren draw with the DR Congo side in Lubumbashi on Saturday leaving them requiring to win at home in the second leg to make it to the group stages of the competition.

While Ben Youssef rued missed chances from his side, added to the difficulties of playing on an artificial turf, the Chiefs coach also shared some worrying news about his players.

Chiefs coach confirms major health scare

“We had players that woke up with diarrhea and vomiting. I do not know what happened to the food yesterday [Friday] but we were in a critical situation in the morning,” said Ben Youssef.

“Five of them we were not sure they would play. But I have to say congratulations even when they were not 100 per cent, they were ready to fight for the team.”

It is not clear what led to the health scare but issues like these have been common in Africa during CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches where visiting teams always complain of sabotage.

Was it sabotage or just unfortunate situation?

There have been claims of host countries or teams providing substandard food and drinks to their visitors, in a bid to gain a psychological advantage before matches, forcing some to travel with their own.

It is not certain if the same happened to Chiefs but the Amakhosi technical bench confirmed that the players were out of danger.

Chiefs will prepare for their midweek fixture, a PSL game against Siwelele FC on Wednesday, before taking on Simba in the return leg at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.