Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane says it was not a sign of desperation to start with Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana but they needed his big frame since they needed goals against AmaZulu.
Zwane said the Burundian international looked fit when they were preparing for the match against AmaZulu in Durban.
Bimenyimana was a surprise inclusion in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final against AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, as it was reported that he was going to be out for four weeks.
But his inclusion did not bear fruit as Chiefs did not get the goals they desired, bowing out on away goal rule against Usuthu, who will now face Orlando Pirates in the final of the Wafa Wafa Cup on 5 November at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Bimenyimana lacked the service up top but he was also marshalled well by the Usuthu defence led by Abbubaker Mobara, Riaan Hanamub, Veli Mothwa, Thembela Sikhakhane and Ramahlwe Mphahlele at the back.
Struggling to create inroad for Chiefs, Bimenyimana did not last long in the game, signalling to be taken off in the second half, looking gingerly uncomfortable in his groin.
“When we were preparing, he looked okay and he was also doing well in training,” said Zwane.
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“We felt we should start with him because we needed his presence inside the box because in our last game against TS Galaxy, we had a lot of box entries from wide and we didn’t have someone from that height for us to connect with the ball.
“Fortunately today, we had quite a few of those but the composure inside the box is one thing that we need to work on. If we were more relaxed, I think we could have done better.”
With Bimenyimana asking to be taken off, he might have done more damage to his injury and it remains to be seen whether he will fit for the biggest match in the South African football calendar – the Soweto Derby No. 176 against the on-form Pirates on Saturday at FNB Stadium.
Bimenyimana is Chiefs’ top scorer in the league with six goals, and that sees being joint-top scorer with Peter Shalulile and Bradley Grobler.
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