Kaizer Chiefs will travel to Zambia to face Red Arrows on Saturday with five players out injured. The match is the first leg of their second qualifying round tie in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.
Midfielders Lebohang Maboe, Adolf Mtasingwa and Siphesihle Ndlovu are all sidelined, IOL reported. Attacker Langelihle Phili and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen are also out.
The injuries come after three draws in a row in the Betway Premiership. Chiefs are still unbeaten after their first eight league matches.
Their latest result was a draw against Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. The missing players forced the technical team to change the line-up.
Assistant coach Dillon Sheppard said the club chose not to start young midfielder Thulani Mabaso, who has just returned from injury.
“With the injuries that we’ve had, young Thulani (Mabaso) has just come back from injury. To throw him into a game where we’ve just come back from a FIFA break, I think it would’ve been unfair on him,” Sheppard said.
Instead, Chiefs played Reeve Frosler in midfield next to Sibongiseni Mthethwa. Sheppard said Frosler worked in that role during pre-season.
“So, we had to find alternatives. In pre-season, we worked with Reeve in the midfield and like I said he’s played that position before,” Sheppard said.
Sinoxolo Kwayiba gave Stellenbosch the lead in the match. Frosler then helped set up the equaliser, which was scored by Mduduzi Shabalala.
Chiefs have used a 5-2-3 system in recent games. Some have asked whether the team can control the midfield and create enough chances with it, according to IOL.
Sheppard has defended the formation. He said it can become more attacking when the wing-backs push forward.
The injuries have made it harder to find the right balance, IOL reported. This is because several midfield players are missing at the same time.
Chiefs now face a busy run of matches in more than one competition. The club will need to manage players who are coming back from injury.
The return leg against Red Arrows will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 23 October. Chiefs then meet Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on 31 October.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.