Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has explained how the absence of Khama Billiat during the AmaZulu game has hurt his side.
The Zimbabwean international star was sidelined in Chiefs’ 1-1 draw with Usuthu on Wednesday at FNB Stadium after falling ill on the eve of the game.
Baxter later explained that Billiat’s absence resulted in Bernard Parker taking over as Nr. 9 and switching from his role on the wing, where he had excelled in recent weeks.
“Bernard has been doing very well in that wider role,” Baxter said when asked by iDiski Times how much the absence of Billiat affected Chiefs.
“His movement has been great, he’s been getting into. Now he’s been playing with his back to goal a lot tonight and he’s battled away but it wasn’t the same
“We’ve actually got Leo Castro, Samir Nurkovic and Khama all out and we’ve got Lebo (Manyama) clawing his way back into it. So that’s four top class players missing.
“Bernard is a very, very good player but I like him coming from that angle rather then playing back to goal so you miss good players, you always do but that’s not an excuse, it’s unfortunate.
“I’m just hoping now that Khama’s illness doesn’t develop. I’m hoping we’ll get a hand on it quickly and get him at least fit enough to let him take part in the game.”
Amakhosi visit their neighbours Swallows FC at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday in the DStv Premiership.
