With Itumeleng Khune facing suspension and Brandon Petersen a doubt, Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson looks set to turn to Bruce Bvuma for Sunday’s DStv Premiership clash against Moroka Swallows.
Khune is in trouble for allegedly pitching up at training under the influence of alcohol last week. He will likely be suspended for a while and stripped of the captaincy.
On the other hand, Petersen has missed the last two games against Cape Town Spurs and Orlando Pirates. The last match Petersen played was against Golden Arrows FC on the 28th of October.
In that game, the former Bidvest Wits goalkeeper committed a costly error as Chiefs lost 2-1. Johnson explained his absence recently, and the possibility is that he could still opt to keep him on the bench.
“Brandon, it’s a psychological thing. It could’ve happened to [Itumeleng] Khune, it could’ve happened to Bvuma,” Johnson told journalists recently. “But we need to protect what belongs to us, and sometimes we have to make those decisions in order to protect the players for the future. I think he’ll just get stronger and stronger.”
BRUCE BVUMA EXPECTED TO STEP UP
That leaves the 28-year-old Bvuma as the likely option to start his first game of the season. It presents a golden opportunity to step up and prove his worth.
Bvuma, who recently penned a contract extension, has patiently awaited his chance and will have to seize the moment. He played four games in the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season but has yet to feature this season.
The Swallows match is crucial for Amakhosi, and Bvuma will be determined to help his team secure a victory. Chiefs are coming from a Soweto derby loss against Pirates and would want to bounce back to winning ways.
But they face a formidable Swallows side that is brimming with talent. Andile Jali will be eager to dictate terms in the heart of midfield. The ex-Chiefs duo of Dumsani Zuma and Daniel Akpeyi would also be looking to inflict pain on their former paymaster.
Coach Steve Komphela’s Birds have made an excellent start to the season and sit in fifth place with 18 points from 10 games. On the other hand, Amakhosi are 11th with 14 points off 12 matches. They will be looking to win and leap over their crosstown rivals Pirates, who have amassed 16 points.
KAIZER CHIEFS INJURY UPDATE
Chiefs must do without the quartet of Keegan Dolly, Khune, Ashley Du Preez, and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe.
According to the club’s website, all four are out with injuries.
“I am not the coach who says I want that type of player when I have 29 other players. The players that have been training their utmost this week will be the players who will go out.
“I just hope that my other players recover as soon as possible to give us a headache in terms of selection. There are good signs; Ashley is out on the pitch and running a little bit. According to the medical report that I have, he will return at the end of December.”
Johnson still has enough arsenal to replace the injured players. In central defence, where Ditlhokwe will be missing, he has Given Msimango, Njabulo Ngcobo, Luke Fleurs, and Zitha Kwinika.
Tebogo Potsane and Pule Mmodi are options on the wings, with young Mduduzi Shabalala in the mix.
Edson Castillo made the long trip from Lima, Peru, where he featured for Venezuela in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
But Johnson has Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa and Yusuf Maart in midfield. Samkelo Zwane will lift his hand for a place in the team after an impressive cameo in the Soweto derby.
Johnson said they view Swallows with respect. “They are not sitting third [currently fifth after Saturday’s fixtures] on the log for no reason. They are improving.
“You have to give credit to their technical team, led by Steve Komphela. We respect them in that we do have a game plan for them, just like they have a game plan for us.
“We’re going to Dobsonville hoping we have the majority of the crowd supporting us, and we can execute our game plan and use it on Moroka Swallows to come up with the points.”
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