Kaizer Chiefs could miss three players ahead of tough clash against leaders Richards Bay
Kaizer Chiefs are trading on both positive and negative news ahead of weekend’s tough game against Premier Soccer League leaders Richards Bay. The Amakhosi has announced a 2-year deal for Burundian International Bonfils Bimenyimana but have been dealt a huge injury blow ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Chiefs were given a heavy 4-0 score line in the PSL last week handing a temporary set-back after beating Maritzburg United in a resurgence to their first two games of the season. Like the same old story may continue, Chiefs will face high-flying Richards Bay at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday but boss Arthur Zwane is sweating over the fitness of three stars ahead of the must win game.
With this trooping in as a major blow, Zwane needs to revised his squad if his medical team finally rules them out to boost his 12th position on the log. Summer signing from AmaZulu Siyethemba Sithebe and George Matlou are carrying niggles while experienced Khama Billiat is struck with flu. Meanwhile, new signing Ashley Du Preez remains out due to a hamstring injury.
The 25-year old grabbed his maiden goal for Kaizer Chiefs in victory over Maritzburg United and his absence may mean a lot to Zwane who has spoken high of the forward ahead of Richard Bay’s game.
“We still going to miss Ashley who is going to be out for some time. George is doubtful as well. It is these two players and other players like Sithebe who are a little bit tight, because if you remember Sithebe was out for some time not playing competitive football, we brought him [in] and he had to play about three games in 10 days, and we expected that.
“That is why I had to substitute him, I was thinking that if we are to keep him on the field then we are risking injuries and we’ll need him for this game, hopefully he’ll be fine,” Zwane told journalists at the club’s media open day.
“Khama has got a bout of flu, we don’t know whether he is going to be available or not. We’ll see how he responds between today and tomorrow,” he said.
Chiefs would have been embracing the opportunity to hand new signing Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana his debut against the toppers but the ongoing processing of the Burundian’s working permits rules him out of tomorrow’s clash.
Chiefs sit 12th place on the PSL table with 3 points from three games.
