Turbulent relationship (Gallo)

Related Links

• Ertugral to meet Khenyeza
• Ertugral named new Ajax coach
• Chiefs target three coaches

Johannesburg - What Ajax Cape Town might gain on the roundabouts after the confirmed signing of Muhsin Ertugral this week seems destined to be lost on the swings as star striker Mabhudi Khenyeza made no bones about leaving the club now that the Turkish coach is back in harness.

"Ertugral in," said Ajax's top scorer and most dominant player during the past season, "means only one thing - and that is that Khenyeza is on his way out."

To label the duo the best of enemies is no under-statement - at least as far as Khenywza is concerned.

The talented, if sometimes enigmatic goal-scorer walked out of the Kaizer Chiefs' camp as a result of the animosity that existed with Ertugral when both were in the Amakhosi fold.

Khenyeza believes he was victimised, insulted and and derided by Ertugral and there is no going back on what has developed into an open feud.

But while the player is unwavering about the prospect of a reconciliation with Ertugral, Ajax officials, dismayed over what would seem an ignorance over the extent of the animosity between the returning coach and the club's top player, are desperately seeking to pour oil over troubled waters.

"We hope that whatever happened between Muhsin and Mabhudi in the past will remain in the past," said Ajax chairperson John Comitis, "and they reconcile their differences as both are important influence in our future plans."

But the plea has seemigly fallen on deaf ears as far as Khenyeza is concerned.

"I'm out of here as fast as I can," said the emphatic striker, who left Chiefs in a hurry as well after falling out with Ertugral.

"I have a three-year contract with Ajax," added Khenyeza, "and it has two years to run. But the club will have to understand my situation and allow me to move on. I had no idea Ertugral would follow me here when I signed up."