Orlando Pirates chairman, Irvin Khoza, says Black Stars favourite Edwin Gyimah maybe in need of psychological help after a public bust-up with resigned coach Mushin Ertugal.
Ertugral and Gyimah were involved in a bust-up at Cape Town International Airport back in September after tempers flared following the win over Ajax Cape Town, and an investigation was then opened by the club.
Now, however, with Ertugral handing in his resignation letter, Khoza is worried that a conclusion on the matter may not be reached.
After declaring his disappointment at Ertugral’s exit, Khoza said, “He should have allowed us a situation where we could deal with one or two issues. One of the issues I’m worried about is the outstanding matter of Gyimah. There was an investigation that was instituted, and the first part was completed by the player who gave his evidence, and the coach at the time was supposed to go to Turkey.
“We were hoping when coming back before the FIFA week starting the next week we could have a chance to engage to get his side of the story. I thought that was important for me to discuss.”
However, he hasn’t given up on finalising the matter, saying “In sending the letter to him I did indicate that I would be much more happy at his exit interview to conclude that part, because the causative factor of the altercation, whether it was something symptomatic, something spur of the moment, something of team organisation, it’s important for us to know that.
“We also invited three captains to participate in this inquiry and that is why I’m disappointed but I’m hoping in his response to the letter we sent accepting his resignation that he will afford us the opportunity to conclude that part of the investigation, because we cannot leave it unattended.”
He went on to explain that possibly it is the player that needs help, telling the media, “Maybe there is a lesson to be learnt out of that complication, whether the player requires psychological support or perhaps there’s an issue with communication challenges that are the problem, or maybe the manner in which the coach communicates, or other issues in the club that we are not aware of. So it is very important as a learning experience to know, if he gives us the chance.”