Fernando Da Cruz’s Kaizer Chiefs host Stellenbosch FC at 19:30. Not only is the Frenchman facing with a midfield crisis, but Lebohang Maboe, his team’s best player, is also out injured.
The Heidelberg-born star is the club’s only player with two Man of the Match awards this season in seven games. He picked up the gongs against Siwelele FC and Polokwane City on 6 and 13 September, respectively.
KAIZER CHIEFS TO REPLACE LEBOHANG MABOE
While two other midfielders are also injured, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Adolf Mtasingwa, Maboe’s absence will be felt most. The 32-year-old scooped five Man of the Match awards in last season’s Betway Premiership.
While Kaizer Chiefs have Sibongiseni Mthethwa available to cover for Maboe in the number six role, the 32-year-old lacks Maboe’s ability to drive the team forward through passing or ball-carrying.
With Ndlovu and Mtasingwa also unavailable for selection, coach Da Cruz is expected to improvise. Several squad players have previously played in the number eight role.
They include Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Ethan Chislett, Reeve Frosler and, very briefly, Mduduzi Shabalala. It remains to be seen who Kaizer Chiefs coach Da Cruz will transfer his trust to.
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP AT THE WEEKEND
Whoever steps up on Tuesday, another opportunity is expected in less than four days. Amakhosi must travel to Zambia to take on Red Arrows in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The return leg will be held at Moses Mabhida Stadium next weekend.
Victory for Kaizer Chiefs over the two legs will book them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, which effectively comprise the last 16 of the competition. From four groups of four teams each, finishing first or second will propel the Glamour Boys to the quarter-finals.
Some of the top teams in this edition include Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Moroccan heavyweights Wydad Casablanca.
WHO SHOULD REPLACE LEBOHANG MABOE IN MIDFIELD?
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