Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is set to count on Gaston Sirino when they face SuperSport United in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (20:00).

Sirino sustained an injury against his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns, just before the international break, which resulted in a 2-1 loss in controversial circumstances at FNB Stadium.

The former Sundowns star attacker, who joined Chiefs during the offseason, was not risked in the CUFA Cup victory over Marumo Gallants at Toyota Stadium this past weekend. Although that was a friendly match, Nabi felt his absence and praised Sirino’s quality.

“We felt the absence of Sirino in the last game,” said Nabi. 

“It shows the importance of that player within our team. Maybe he has not fully recovered, but at least we are trying to count on him in the next game. He won’t maybe play the entire 90 minutes; we will see how long we can give him in that game.”  

Chiefs are aiming for their first Carling Knockout Cup trophy since winning it in the 2010/11 season, defeating Orlando Pirates 3-0 at FNB Stadium.

SuperSport’s last title came in the 2014/15 season when they defeated Platinum Stars on penalties under coach Gordon Igesund.