Posted in News on Sep 04, 2008.
Jose Torrealba had a storming start of the season for Kaizer Chiefs, not only thanks to his two goals in three MTN8 matches, but also because of his red-card against Moroka Swallows. The Venezuelan had to miss the Absa Premiership opener against Thanda Royal Zulu, as a result of the sending off.
“The red-card was a big mistake,” the Amakhosi striker reflects. “The Swallows’ defender killed me, continuously kicking and pushing me, while the referee did nothing to protect me. Still, I shouldn’t have reacted like I did and I must learn from this.”
Chiefs will still be without Torrealba against Maritzburg United, a league fixture, but the striker will be back for the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, September 20. “I’m happy that I can play in the final,” continues Torrealba, who, after having touched base in Venezuela, flew with the national squad to Peru’s capital Lima, where the World Cup qualifier will be played.
Venezuela hasn’t been doing well, sitting at present in seventh position in the South American group standings that is currently topped by Paraguay (13 points), followed close on their heels are Argentina (11 points) and Columbia (10 points). Brazil is in fifth position, just two points ahead of Venezuela, who have seven points.
Peru is right at the bottom of the standings on three points. Venezuela will play Peru on Saturday, followed by a trip to Paraguay to face the log leaders on Tuesday. “If we win one of these two away matches,” explains Torrealba, “we can still qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, which will be fantastic.”
Torrealba is not the only Amakhosi who will be on duty in the coming days for their national side. Others are Jonathan Quartey (Ghana), Valery Nahayo (Burundi), Tinashe Nengomashe, Onismor Bhasera (both Zimbabwe) and, of course, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Itumeleng Khune, who will play for Bafana on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
