Kaizer Chiefs’ preparations for their upcoming Betway Premiership clash against AmaZulu FC were under the spotlight on Monday as the team invited the media.
The match-day minus two training session at the Naturena village revealed a mix of injury concerns, debut anticipation, and the continued absence of head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Amakhosi welcome Usuthu to the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday evening in a league tie. Kick off is 19h30.
Here are five things we noticed during the training session.
INJURY CONCERNS MOUNT AT LEFT BACK AT CHIEFS
The Amakhosi camp appears to be dealing with potential defensive worries, particularly on the left flank. Defender Bradley Cross was observed walking with a noticeable limp during the session and was wearing takkies [sneakers] instead of his football boots, suggesting a possible setback.
Cross stepped in at left back at the weekend, replacing the now-absent Paseka Mako. Mako himself was missing from the training session after sitting out the CAF Confederation Cup return leg against Kabuscorp on Saturday due to an injury.
The injuries in the left-back position could open the door for newly signed defender Nkanyiso Shinga, who is waiting in the wings for his official debut.
MONYANE ON THE MEND
There was a positive sight as right-back Thabiso Monyane was part of the training, although he is still on a recovery path, with a potential return projected for late October.
Monyane had an impressive start to the season before his injury against Sekhukhune United, and Chiefs are yet to lose a match when he has been on the field this season. His immediate replacement, Reeve Frosler, was himself substituted by Dillan Solomons during the recent Kabuscorp return leg match at FNB.
IGHODARO NEARING DEBUT
Up front, Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro was also training as he works on his fitness following an injury sustained early in his tenure after joining from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze recently provided an update, confirming the striker’s gradual return and suggesting he is expected to make his long-awaited debut shortly after the upcoming international break.
Another player working on his fitness is former Sundowns man Lebo Maboe. Maboe, who recently recovered from a shoulder injury, was part of the session. Having missed the pre-season, the 31-year-old is working on his fitness.
CHISLETT DEBUT ON THE HORIZON?
Excitement is building around new signing Ethan Chislett, who was training with the squad. The former Port Vale midfielder is yet to make his official competitive debut for the club, but there are strong indications it could be imminent.
Intriguingly, assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef hinted that Chislett might feature in the club’s next match.
“I think that still injured players will not come back with us. So, we’ll keep maybe the same squad which played the last game. The last 20 players will be with us. Maybe we’ll also see Ethan [Chislett] in this game,” Ben Youssef told journalists.
NABI STILL ABSENT AS NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE
The uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff persists, as head coach Nasreddine Nabi was once again absent from the training session.
The Tunisian coach has not been with the team since the Sekhukhune game, and engagement between the club and Nabi concerning his situation is understood to be ongoing. An official announcement regarding Nabi’s departure is expected once the two parties finalise the details of his exit.
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