Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi will be forced to change his starting line-up, as at least six regular players will be unavailable for the upcoming Betway Premiership match against Magesi FC.
Chiefs are grappling with several injuries and suspensions in preparation for this clash against the Limpopo side.
Amakhosi will host Magesi FC at the FNB Stadium at 19h30, just a few days after their match against Mamelodi Sundowns. Despite a brave effort, they suffered a 1-0 defeat to the defending league champions at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Nabi may potentially be missing six starters as he faces the newly promoted Betway Premiership side on Tuesday night. Magesi has shown significant improvement lately, having secured three victories since Owen Da Gama took charge.
Da Gama took over from Clinton Larsen when Dikwena Tsa Meetse were languishing at the bottom of the table. Since then, they have climbed to 15th place, aided by Royal AM’s inactivity.
In 11 matches, Da Gama has faced defeat six times, along with two draws. He will be looking to pull off an upset against the Soweto Giants to potentially secure a spot or two higher, depending on the outcomes of other matches.
WHICH SIX KAIZER CHIEFS PLAYERS WILL MISS MAGESI FC TIE?
Thabo Cele, arguably the standout player on the pitch against Sundowns, received his fourth yellow card. This means he will join Gaston Sirino on the sidelines as both serve their suspensions.
Nabi’s team will be without Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Wandile Duba, who have both recently sustained injuries. The duo remains unavailable and will miss the upcoming clash against Magesi.
In addition to Chiefs’ struggles, they will be without their new signing, Tashreeq Morris. The former SuperSport United star had to be substituted during the match against Sundowns. The 30-year-old was stretchered off the pitch in the 26th minute, with Ashley du Preez taking his place.
Nabi provided an update on Morris following the draw against Masandawana. “He’s out maybe six, seven days,” Nabi said in his post-match interview. “I would say that it hurts us a lot because he’s a striker that can give you a lot of things.”
He continued by highlighting what Morris brings to the team. “He’s a good presser. He doesn’t give a lot of rest to the defenders. But after, when he came out, we saw that even the centre-backs were a little bit comfortable with the ball all the time.
“He’s as well in a nine classic that can give you, when you need you can play on him, he’s going to hold the ball, he’s going to give your team the time to go up to take positions to attack,” added the former Young Africans coach.
Meanwhile, Rushwin Dortley is doubtful for the upcoming Magesi fixture due to injury. Nabi may choose to rest him to protect him.
Additionally, Miguel Inacio is sitting on three yellow cards. The dilemma is that if he picks another yellow card he will miss the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match against Stellenbosch FC on Saturday.
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