There is “no way” Khama Billiat is leaving Kaizer Chiefs right now‚ Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp has said.
This comes despite intense speculation of lucrative offers for Billiat – one of the star players of the group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt – to Angola‚ Cairo’s Al Ahly or even back to former club Mamelodi Sundowns.
Middendorp was asked on Wednesday if he believes he can adjust his plans for the 2019-20 season for life without a player of playmaker Billiat’s class.
“I never was confronted with any [information]‚ or whatever. And there’s no way‚” Middendorp replied.
“There’s no way to give a go-ahead from the technical team on releasing players like Khama Billiat and other players at this moment.
“We are at the start of a season. We have put a lot of thinking and a lot of strategy into that.
“And at this time there is no way to move into a direction to say‚ ‘OK‚ Khama Billiat can go – because the money is coming in’.
“No. At the moment it’s very clear. And it’s not a secret. It’s fine. Leonardo Castro and whatever.
“He [Castro] has really had a good pre-season so far. And nothing is going on.
“From outside there is a lot of talk‚ and a lot of wishes were explained into the public.
“And I am very happy with Leonardo Castro. We do not have an ambition to go to the market and sell players. At this stage‚ definitely not.”
Chiefs are under pressure to end a four-season trophy drought in 2019-20.
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