Kaizer Chiefs are facing an increasingly difficult injury situation, with another important player joining a growing list of absentees at Naturena.
The Glamour Boys will need to manage their squad carefully when domestic action resumes, with several players currently unavailable through injury.
Maboe Injury Adds to Chiefs Concerns
New signing Lebohang Maboe was forced off during the second half of Chiefs’ goalless draw against Golden Arrows.
The full extent of the 32-year-old midfielder’s injury has not been confirmed, but the setback is particularly frustrating given his strong start to the season.
Maboe has contributed two goals and two assists in seven Betway Premiership appearances and subsequently withdrew from the Bafana Bafana squad that faced Guinea and Eritrea.
Chiefs are already without several other players.
Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen is expected to spend up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in training, while versatile attacker Wandile Duba is facing a spell out with a hip and groin problem.
Young attacker Langelihle Phili is also dealing with a long-term ankle injury.
The defensive options have been affected too, with left-backs Paseka Mako and Khanyiso Shinga unavailable, while striker Khanyisa Mayo is also sidelined.
Chiefs Searching for Consistency
The injury problems come during an inconsistent run for Kaizer Chiefs.
The club have drawn four of their seven league matches and have dropped points in four of their last five games.
Their attacking output has also dipped, with Chiefs managing just one goal across their last two matches.
Duba’s absence could be particularly significant after the attacker scored three goals in his first four Betway Premiership appearances this season.
Chiefs’ next league fixture is scheduled against Stellenbosch on Saturday, 17 October at 15:30, giving the coaching staff time to assess the squad and monitor the injured players.
For now, the focus at Naturena will be on getting key players back to full fitness while maintaining competitiveness with a stretched squad.
Can Kaizer Chiefs overcome their injury problems and return to winning ways when the league resumes?
