Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has issued an update on players who have been battling against fitness issues ahead of Saturday’s Soweto Derby showdown against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.
It is a high-stakes Betway Premiership confrontation between the old foes as they head into this traditional fixture against the background of not winning their respective last two games in different competitions. After failing to progress past the CAF Confederation Cup group stage following a 2-1 defeat away at Zamalek SC, Chiefs then lost 2-1 to Stellenbosch FC in a PSL match on Tuesday.
They come up against Pirates who first were defeated 2-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns in a league encounter last week, before being booted out of the Nedbank Cup by Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars FC.
Watching Sundowns reclaim the top-flight league top spot and them dropping to position two is something that makes Pirates a wounded side going into Saturday’s clash. Their rivals Chiefs remain fourth, having blown away an opportunity to go fourth after the Stellenbosch result.
However, Amakhosi would be hoping to have their key players available for the derby. But they have some injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s affair.
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“On the injury side, [Inacio] Miguel has missed a few games following his injury in the Nedbank Cup game against Stellenbosch. He has had two lighter training sessions with the group, he will be assessed today [Thursday] to see if he’s able to feature,” Kaze told the media at the Soweto Derby press conference on Thursday.
“Ox [Sibongiseni Mthethwa] has been training with the team for the last five sessions. He is not 100 percent fit. He can help, but he is not 100% fit.
“[Etiosa] Ighodaro is definitely out, he hasn’t joined the group yet. Thabo Cele is back from his injury and he can help, as well as Bradley Cross. George Matlou is out.”
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