Kaizer Chiefs’ preparations for their upcoming Betway Premiership clash against Stellenbosch FC have hit a major snag. The Glamour Boys are set to face their nemesis on Tuesday, 13 October at 19:30, looking to reverse a painful trend that has seen Stellies claim victory in their last three consecutive encounters across all competitions.
Making matters worse for the technical team, young striker Luke Baartman has emerged as a major injury doubt. Baartman picked up a thigh injury while away on international duty with the South Africa under-23 squad, leaving Chiefs short-handed in the final third.
Treatment Room Boost and Rising Academy Star
While Baartman faces a race against time, the Amakhosi treatment room is finally seeing some positive traffic:
- Flavio Silva has returned to full training.
- Khanyisa Mayo has fully recovered following his hernia operation.
- Langelihle Phili, 21, is nearing a comeback from a serious ankle injury sustained in August and could feature against Stellenbosch.
Meanwhile, excitement is brewing around the club’s youth ranks. Following a stellar Golden Boot-winning campaign at the COSAFA U20 tournament in Maputo—where 18-year-old midfielder-turned-striker Steven Mendes lit up the competition—whispers of a fast-track to the senior team are growing. Affectionately nicknamed ‘Stevie G’ by his peers, Mendes’ clinical form under youth coach Vela Khumalo suggests senior fans could see the teenager in action sooner rather than later.
