Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has provided an update on the club’s injury situation as Amakhosi prepare for a crucial CAF Confederation Cup second-leg encounter against Red Arrows.
The Soweto giants face a difficult task on Friday after suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Zambian side in the first leg in Ndola. Chiefs will now have to produce a strong performance at home to keep their continental ambitions alive.
With a place in the next round at stake, supporters will be eager to know whether some of the club’s injured players could return in time for the decisive encounter.
Kaizer Chiefs Await Injury Boost Ahead of Red Arrows Clash
Chiefs were without several important players during the first-leg defeat, including Lebohang Maboe, Adolf Mtasingwa, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Langelihle Phili and Brandon Petersen.
However, Da Cruz has yet to confirm which of the injured players could be available for Friday’s encounter in Durban.
The Chiefs coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress in managing injuries this season, noting that muscular injuries have decreased compared with previous campaigns.
He also explained that most of the current injury setbacks have resulted from contact incidents rather than muscular problems.
Speaking about the situation, Da Cruz said the club had recorded only three muscular injuries since the beginning of the season.
“It’s a good thing to speak about the injured players because since the beginning of the season we decreased the number of muscular injuries,” Da Cruz explained.
“If we compare with other seasons we had only three muscular injuries during this season. The other injuries are contact injuries – very unlucky, if you see for example [Paseka] Mako in pre-season when he broke his arm.”
The coach added that injured players would gradually return as they continue their recovery programmes.
“So we are on a good way for injured players, the players that will come back, not now but step by step, they are going to come back from injuries,” he said.
Phili and Mayo Expected to Miss Crucial CAF Encounter
While Chiefs could receive a boost from the gradual return of some injured players, Langelihle Phili and Khanyisa Mayo are expected to miss Friday’s match as they continue recovering from long-term injuries.
Their absence would leave Da Cruz with fewer options as he prepares his team for a match that could determine the direction of the club’s continental campaign.
The coach has not provided a definitive return date for the remaining injured players, leaving uncertainty over the final squad selection.
Chiefs will therefore need to make the most of the players available while maintaining the discipline and attacking intensity required to overturn the first-leg deficit.
What Kaizer Chiefs Need to Progress
After losing 1-0 in Zambia, Amakhosi must win the second leg by at least two clear goals to secure qualification without relying on a penalty shootout.
A 1-0 victory would level the aggregate score at 1-1, potentially forcing the tie into a penalty shootout under the applicable competition rules.
Any failure to overturn the deficit would put an end to Chiefs’ hopes of advancing in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The encounter is scheduled to be broadcast live on SABC 3 from 17:30, giving supporters an opportunity to follow the decisive battle.
With pressure mounting and injury concerns still affecting squad selection, Da Cruz will be hoping his available players can deliver when it matters most.
Can Kaizer Chiefs overcome Red Arrows, book their place in the next round and keep their CAF Confederation Cup dream alive? Share your predictions in the comments.
