Cross And Reeve Frosler Near Return, Phili Out
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has provided a positive injury update on defenders Bradley Cross and Reeve Frosler, with both players edging closer to a return to full fitness.
Cross and Frosler have missed parts of the 2026/27 season through injury, but the duo returned to the matchday squad on Sunday as Chiefs secured a 3-2 victory over Siwelele in the Betway Premiership at Dobsonville Stadium. Cross was an unused substitute, while Frosler was introduced in the second half.
Cross missed the start of the season after suffering an injury during Chiefs’ Toyota Cup clash against Zimbabwean side Scottland in pre-season.
The defender was replaced by Given Msimango before half-time, with Msimango having since left Amakhosi to join Stellenbosch.
Frosler, meanwhile, began the campaign at left-back as Chiefs dealt with a shortage of available players in the position due to injuries. The former Bidvest Wits player was deployed there before subsequently suffering an injury, with his last appearance coming against Sekhukhune United.
Speaking after the match, Da Cruz confirmed that Frosler is now close to full fitness, while Cross could potentially feature before the upcoming FIFA international break.
“To start with, Reeve Frosler got about 25 minutes on Sunday, so he is very close to being available,” he said.
“Bradley Cross is the same. Cross will be playing very soon, I think even before the international break.
“He is not yet at 100%, but he is available to play. So already, we will have these two players back while we wait for the others.
“Hopefully, we will get at least some of them back during the international break.”
The French coach also addressed the absence of Langelihle Phili, who is expected to spend around eight weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.
Phili last featured against Mamelodi Sundowns, where he scored his first goal for Amakhosi, before suffering the injury that has now ruled him out for an extended period.
Da Cruz admitted that Chiefs are missing the young attacker, highlighting the qualities he brings to the team after the club signed him.
“No, he is an important player. That’s why we signed him, and we will miss him,” he added.
“We know that he will be out for at least eight weeks. He underwent surgery, so there was a period of 10 days when he couldn’t work.
“Now he will begin his recovery and rehabilitation. I hope it won’t be longer than eight weeks. But indeed, he is a player who can bring us technical quality.
“He can also give us depth and the ability to win one-on-one situations. So, of course, he is a player we are missing.
“But for now, we have available players, and we have to work with them. We are scoring goals and creating chances. That’s not the problem. The problem is efficiency — both in the opposition’s box and in our own.”
Amakhosi return to action on Saturday when they travel to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium to face Polokwane City in another Betway Premiership encounter.
Cross and Frosler will both be hoping to take another step in their respective recoveries and potentially return to the starting XI.
