Big boost for Chiefs as striker returns for trip to Durban City

Kaizer Chiefs players celebrating

Kaizer Chiefs have received a timely boost with one of their forwards available for selection ahead of Friday’s Betway Premiership clash with Durban City FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

DR Congo international striker Glody Lilepo made the trip to eThekwini for this clash against Gavin Hunt’s side. The 28-year-old was injured in a CAF Confederation Cup match against AS Simba last Sunday and lasted 45 minutes of the contest.

He was limping and had a strapped ankle, triggering fears that he might not travel to Durban. Co-coach Cedric Kaze tried to allay concerns of a serious injury by saying “it was a knock which I think shouldn’t be very bad because if it was a muscle injury, that would be another issue.”

With another forward Khanyisa Mayo out, that heightened fears of Chiefs being incapacitated upfront.

But Lilepo was part of the squad that landed in Durban as Chiefs seek to end a four-match winless run in the PSL.

That has seen them placed fourth on the table with five points fewer than leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. However, Amakhosi have a game in hand. They come up against Durban City who are a rung below them with a point less.

The 3-1 win over AS Simba saw Amakhosi end a run of three matches across all competitions without scoring. Midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala takes it as a confidence booster going into the Durban City assignment.

MDUDUZI SHABALALA: A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR CHIEFS

Mduduzi Shabalala, Kaizer Chiefs
Mduduzi Shabalala: Picture by Kaizer Chiefs

“It was a great confidence booster for us to score three goals and we will take that into the match against Durban City,” said Shabalala.

“For us, it is very important to get a good result in this match. We have been playing well but haven’t converted our chances as we would want to.

“This is a good opportunity for us, as Kaizer Chiefs, to get back on track for a good season in the league. We just need to stick with what we are doing and turn the chance we create into goals.”

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