Injury woes for Chiefs ahead of Soweto derby

Mmasekepe Matsebane
 

Kaizer Chiefs’ hard fought draw at home against Bidvest Wits has resulted in three of Amakhosi’s match winners picking knocks.

A Siphiwe Tshabalala goal canceled an early Ryan Chapman header in a seriously contested Absa Premiership match, but now Kingston Nkhatha, Tshepo Masilela and Lehohonolo Majoro are doubtful ahead of the Soweto derby.

The Glamour Boys spokesperson Vina Maphosa said the two Bafana Bafana stars as well as the Zimbabwean will have to be looked on closely by the medical team to see if they can make it for the match that also has the potential to be a title decider.

Lehlohonolo Majoro celebrates his goal in the Soweto derby, but he is now a doubtful starter for Saturday's game.

“The three players picked up some knocks and they will undergo some scans today (yesterday). Masilela looks to be the one with a serious one with a knee ligament and Majoro got a knock on his shin. The medical team will provide us with a full medical report on Tuesday to distinguish if they will be ready for the weekend fixture,” said Maphosa.

Chiefs went to the game with the hopes of extending their lead at the top of the standings to five points, but were denied by the Students who gave a far better performance than they did in the Nedbank Cup last 32 encounter where they lost 3-0.

They still enjoy a healthy three points lead, but with Pirates taking on Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday, the lead might be cut down. 

Tshepo Masilela to be sidelined by a knee ligament problem.

Chiefs have the whole week to prepare of the derby as they will not be taking part in the league fixtures.

George Lebese recently went under the knife and he has already been ruled out of the derby. Just how Amakhosi will fare in the country's version of El Classico without their big stars remains a mystery for Chiefs fans.

 

In other matches, Celtic got the momentum going for the midweek games against Pirates when they defeated Chippa United 1-0 at Botshabelo Stadium. Benjani Mwaruwari’s return to the PSL could not inspire Wilfred Mugeyi’s side as Lerato Manzini’s striker downed the Chilli Boys.

George Lebese recently underwent an operation and will be sorely missed.

Another one-nil score-line was recorded the Goodwill Zwelithini stadioum when Golden Arrows defeated Steve Khomphela’s team. Want-away midfielder Thandoyise Khuboni scored the only goal of the match to take Arrows to 11^th on the log with 23 points from 20 games.

AmaZulu brought Moroka Swallows down to earth with a 2-1 win. The Dube Birds were still confident from their Wednesday’s famous come from behind win against Pirates, but Joseph Malongoane and Makhosonke Bhengu’s goals shocked Zeca Marques’ men. Swallows’ consolation goal came via the boot of a former AmaZulu player in Bennett Chenene.

mmasekepem@thenewage.co.za