Chiefs Defender Ruled Out For 4 Weeks
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has confirmed a fresh injury setback ahead of Sunday’s Betway Premiership clash against Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium.
Thabiso Monyane will miss the match against Siwelele and is expected to be sidelined for four weeks after suffering an injury, adding to Chiefs’ growing concerns over player availability.
Monyane has been one of the most consistent players in Da Cruz’s team since the beginning of the season. The defender has started every match Chiefs have played so far, making his absence another blow for Amakhosi.
In their most recent match against Richards Bay, Monyane was replaced by Dillan Solomons in the second half. Da Cruz has now confirmed that the injury will keep the 26-year-old out until after the upcoming FIFA international window.
“Monyane will not be available before the FIFA window because he is injured and will be out for four weeks,” Da Cruz said.
The Chiefs coach also provided updates on Langelihle Phili and Flavio Da Silva, who remain sidelined with injuries.
“Phili is in the same situation and will be out for eight weeks. Da Silva is also out for one week or two weeks,” he added.
Phili made his Chiefs debut in the MTN8 quarter-final defeat to Golden Arrows before featuring in the following matches against Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns. However, he missed the Richards Bay fixture after Da Cruz revealed before the game that he had suffered an injury.
Da Silva, meanwhile, started Chiefs’ opening match of the season against Kruger United and marked the occasion with a goal. He has not featured since picking up an injury.
However, there is some positive news for Chiefs, with several players beginning their return from injury.
Paseka Mako and Bradley Cross did not start the season because of injuries, while Kabelo Nkgwesa and Reeve Frosler were last seen in action against Sekhukhune United.
Da Cruz confirmed that all four players are back in training but stressed that they are not yet physically ready to play at full intensity.
“But we have players who are coming back, like Paseka Mako, Bradley Cross, Kabelo Nkgwesa and Reeve Frosler, but they are not yet at 100% physically. So, they are coming back step by step,” he said.
The injury situation will nevertheless raise questions among Chiefs supporters, particularly given that none of the players currently ruled out suffered their injuries during a competitive match since the campaign began.
The fact that several setbacks have occurred around training has understandably left fans wondering about the physical demands being placed on the squad during sessions.
There are also several players whose current situations were not addressed in Da Cruz’s latest injury update. Khanyisa Mayo, Thulani Mabaso and Rushwin Dortley were not mentioned among the players unavailable, although all three have previously had injury problems.
Dortley missed the entire 2025/26 season because of injury, while Mayo and Mabaso picked up their respective injuries during pre-season. Importantly, however, all three were training with the team during Wednesday morning’s session.
For now, Chiefs will hope their returning players can gradually strengthen the squad as Da Cruz manages a growing injury list ahead of a busy period in the season.
