Four key players have been ruled out due to injuries picked up at training.

Utility defender Nhlanhla Kubeka was expected to make a comeback at the start of the new season following a successful recovery to a groin injury that robbed him of a place in the African Nations Cup and the World Cup.

However, the attack-minded player will have to miss the big kick-off with a torn hip muscle suffered at training on Tuesday morning.

"I really don’t know what to say or do now,” said a distraught Kubeka. “There I was ready and hopeful to start playing the new season and I go and get this injury.”

The Amakhosi medical team could not ascertain the extent of the new injury and said Kubeka would be examined on Wednesday.

"This is terrible," said Kubeka. "A lousy pass to Doctor and all of sudden I was in pain and fell to the ground. It felt like a tear and from then onwards I could not carry on."

Striker Kenny Niemach will also miss the opening league match against hoodoo side Ajax Cape Town at Ellis Park on September 7.

The former Sundowns and Moroka Swallows marksman will be out for eight to 12 weeks with a stress fracture on his foot.

"This is a recurring injury which was diagnosed last Thursday," said team physiotherapist David Milner. “It’s very difficult to tell when exactly will he start playing again at this stage.”

Another striker Sydney Moshikaro, who rejoined Amakhosi from defunct Ria Stars in the off-season, had a knee operation and will only start training in three weeks.

“That’s how is goes. We get them in bad shape and have to panel beat them,” said Milner.

Chiefs’ most improved player of the season Isaac Mabotsa is also in the treatment room following a knee operation and is set to start training on Monday.

Celtic friendly

Meanwhile, Chiefs will take on Bloemfontein Celtic in a pre-season friendly at the Seisa Ramabodou Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Chiefs will be going all out to secure the elusive Premier

Soccer League title this season after winning almost everything else on offer last campaign.

Celtic will be an ideal warm-up for Mushin Ertugral's charges. They have a proud heritage and will be looking to secure the Inland Stream first division title to once again join South Africa's elite clubs.

Chiefs are without a doubt the most popular club in the country and the stadium is expected to be sold out.