Kaizer Chiefs are sweating over the fitness of five players ahead of their DStv Premiership clash with Chippa United on Sunday.
The Soweto giants start their 2023/24 campaign with a clash against the Chilli Boys on Sunday.
The two sides meet at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban as Molefi Ntseki kicks off his tenure as head coach of Amakhosi.
But the former Bafana Bafana will have to wait for the medical team to give some of his key players the green light.
OUT BECAUSE OF INJURY
“We have a few of them that have been out because of injuries,” Ntseki told the media on Wednesday.
“I think the obvious one was Dillan Solomons getting injured against Township Rollers. George Matlou has also been out. Keagan Dolly has been out, Ranga [Chivaviro] has been out. Ash [Ashley Du Preez] has been out for some time.
“We’re working 24/7 on the mental and tactical side of it, but the most important thing is: the medical team is doing a very good job. So we get a medical report before the end of the week.”
The absence of Du Preez, Chivaviro, and Dolly would be a major blow to Chiefs, who are looking to give their campaign a good start.
They failed to score goals in Chiefs’ last two friendly pre-season matches. They could get goals from the trio as they kick off their campaign.
The Soweto giants finished fifth last season and will look for a much more improved campaign.
Chiefs have not won the league or any significant cup in eight seasons and need to find their form early if they want to challenge for the DStv Premiership title this season.
THE GOOD NEWS
The good news for Chiefs is that they have several talented players in their squad. New signings Given Msimango, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, and Edson Castillo looked sharp during the pre-season games.
Pule Mmodi was a menace to the Young Africans’ defence in Tanzania and could prove the team’s trump card on Sunday.
They also have Congolese forward Christian Saile, who hopes to step up to the plate this season.
RELATED STORY: Ntseki issues an update on Ranga Chivaviro
