Major Midfield Crisis For Chiefs Ahead Of Stellenbosch Reunion
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has confirmed that Amakhosi will be without four key players—Lebohang Maboe, captain Brandon Petersen, Adolf Mtasingwa, and young attacker Langelihle Phili—when they host Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Both Maboe and Mtasingwa featured in Amakhosi’s last outing before the three-week FIFA international break, a goalless draw against Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium on 20 September.
Phili, who joined the Soweto giants from Stellenbosch ahead of the season, sustained an ankle strain in training back in August, with technical staff initially projecting an eight-week recovery timeline.
Meanwhile, team captain and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen missed the drawdown with Arrows. He suffered a difficult outing in the preceding fixture against Polokwane City, where a near-post handling error cost Chiefs all three points.
Maboe’s setback occurred during the Arrows encounter. Although he initially reported to the Bafana Bafana camp following a national team call-up, head coach Pitso Mosimane was forced to replace him with Tshepang Moremi after medical tests confirmed ankle damage.
Chiefs will also be without Siphesihle Ndlovu is out on a long-term injury.
“The players not available for Tuesday are Lebohang Maboe, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Adolf Mtasingwa, Langelihle Phili, and Brandon Petersen,” Da Cruz confirmed during Monday’s pre-match media briefing at Village.
The absentees leave Chiefs thin in central midfield for the clash at the Calabash, with Sibongiseni Mthethwa standing as their primary remaining specialist option.
Having failed to secure a win in their last two league matches, Da Cruz acknowledged the tactical challenge, particularly given that Stellenbosch defeated Chiefs three times across all competitions last season.
“We have prepared something for Tuesday, and you will see it on Tuesday,” said Da Cruz.
“The most important thing is focusing. Of course, I’m not happy about the injured players. But the most important thing is to focus on the players who are available for the game on Tuesday.”
