Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz faces a tricky decision on whether to continue with goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner following the return of Brandon Petersen, while midfielder Lebohang Maboe is also available for selection against Red Arrows FC.
The Soweto giants host the Zambian Airforce side at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a CAF Confederation Cup, second preliminary round, second-leg match on Friday [Kickoff 18h00]. After losing 1-0 in the away leg in Ndola last weekend, Chiefs are seeking to overturn that deficit.
They face the grim prospect of failing to reach the group phase of the continental competition. That places Da Cruz’s future at Naturena in a difficult position.
TIMELY BOOST FOR CHIEFS AS BRANDON PETERSEN AND LEBOHANG MABOE ARE BACK
In recent weeks, Chiefs have been hit by injuries to key players, but club captain Petersen and Maboe have returned. While Petersen was out, Leaner guarded goal for two games and conceded just once.
But it might not be easy for the Amakhosi coach to throw Petersen back into the fray after the experienced goalkeeper made a series of costly blunders before injury struck. In Maboe’s absence, Da Cruz had an improvised midfield in which he selected Reeve Frosler to operate in the engine room.
“Kaizer Chiefs have received a timely boost ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup second-leg clash in the second preliminary round, with goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and midfielder Lebohang Maboe returning to action after recent injury layoffs,” Chiefs issued the injury update in a statement.
“The experienced duo are part of the squad currently in Durban, preparing to face Red Arrows of Zambia in a decisive encounter that will determine Amakhosi’s immediate fate in this season’s continental competition. Both players featured in Thursday’s pre-match training session at Moses Mabhida Stadium, signalling their readiness for the crucial fixture.”
However, winger Langelihle Phili remains out injured, together with midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu.
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