Chiefs trio ruled out for crucial CAF Confederation Cup tie

Kaizer Chiefs face an uphill battle in the CAF Confederation Cup this Saturday as they confirmed three key players will miss the crucial preliminary round match against Kabuscorp SCP.

The Soweto giants host the Angolan side at FNB Stadium in a game set to start at 3 PM (SA time), needing to overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit to advance in the competition. Compounding the challenge is a current run of three games without a win, a slump that followed the suspension of coach Nasreddine Nabi.

Chiefs enjoyed a strong domestic start, but their momentum stalled after the 3-1 league loss to Sekhukhune United. This was followed by the narrow defeat in Luanda and a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Marumo Gallants this week. in

Unregistered Mayo Among Key Absentees For Chiefs

Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze provided the latest squad update on Friday, confirming that the club will be without Khanyisa Mayo, Siphesihle Ndlovu, and Paseka Mako.

The most surprising absence is that of new recruit Mayo, who recently scored on his debut against Gallants.

“After the last game against Marumo Gallants, unfortunately, Mayo cannot feature,” Kaze explained. “Khanyisa Mayo is not registered yet [for the CAF Confederations Cup]. The deadline passed before he came to us, and tomorrow [Saturday] we will be without Paseka Mako and Siphesihle [Ndlovu], who were injured in the last game.”

Mayo’s unavailability means the attack will likely lean on players like Glody Lillepo. The injuries to Mako and Ndlovu leave gaps in defence and midfield, respectively, with Bradley Cross or Nkanyiso Shinga potentially slotting in at left-back, and Thabo Cele available to replace Ndlovu in midfield.

Despite the setbacks, Chiefs captain Zitha Kwinika expressed confidence in the team’s ability to pull off a victory.

“I think tomorrow the boys are ready,” Kwinika told the media. “We’re definitely going to do what’s right for us, for the team, for the badge, and mostly for the country. So the focus is we’re going to win the game tomorrow.”

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