Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung has reached out to Happy Mashiane after he was red carded in the dying stages of the first half in the 3-0 Caf Champions League final defeat to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in Casablanca.
“I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the team for the magnificent effort in the attempt to win the Caf Champions League, even if we did not win the trophy, to reach this final is historical for the club,” said Motaung.
He said such incidents as a red card are what decides such matches like a big final and that Mashiane should not blame himself.
“It is unfortunate that the red card defined the outcome of the match. These kinds of defining moments happen in games of this magnitude. I would like to thank the players and the technical team, not forgetting the entire support and entourage that participated in the journey to the final.
“I want to take this special moment to encourage Happy Mashiane… Happy must take this as a lesson and an experience that will come in handy in his career.
“This is not his fault and this must serve as a lesson to everyone in the team. We must realise that these things happen in football and life in general. Happy is still young and has a great future ahead of him. He is not alone, we are in this together.”
The team’s travel back to South Africa was delayed due to their chartered flight experiencing technical difficulties, according to the club. They were expected to land in South Africa on Wednesday morning.
“This has been a great effort from everyone. I am appealing to all of us to understand the journey continues from here.
“It is not always plain sailing in any journey but we must believe that one day we will achieve our objective. I wish you a safe journey back home‚” said Motaung.