Kaizer Chiefs FC will be without seven key players for their highly anticipated Betway Premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday. Coach Fernando Da Cruz confirmed the absences due to injuries and fitness concerns, leaving the team short-handed for the FNB Stadium showdown. League standing: 1st in Premier Soccer League, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form WW.
The seven players ruled out are Ethan Chislett, Flavio Da Silva, Bradley Cross, Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga, Rushwin Dortley, and Faiz Abrahams. Da Cruz cited a combination of injuries and insufficient match fitness as the reasons for their absence. Another player’s availability remains uncertain, with a final decision pending a pre-match fitness assessment.
The condensed fixture schedule has left little recovery time for the affected players, making it unlikely that the squad will be at full strength. With goals this season: 3 scored, 1 conceded (+2 goal difference), the team will need to rely on the remaining fit players to secure a key win against a dominant Sundowns side.
Despite the fitness concerns, public interest remains high, with around 32,000 tickets sold by Thursday lunchtime. The match, kicking off at 15:00 on Saturday, promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Sundowns arriving as one of the dominant forces in South African football.
