After three weeks of no competitive action due to the MTN8 final and the October FIFA International break, Kaizer Chiefs return to the field of play for the first time since 28 October when they face SuperSport United this evening in the first round of the Carling Knockout Cup in Polokwane.

The two teams will meet twice in the space of seven days, with the first match being the Carling Knockout, followed by a league encounter a week later at the same venue, which is the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Chiefs took part in a Cufa Cup friendly against Marumo Gallants last weekend in Bloemfontein and were crowned champions after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.

Coach Nasreddine Nabi is happy that all international players have reported back to the Amakhosi camp with clean bills of health after representing their countries during the FIFA break.

With an appetite to lift a trophy this season and a chance to give the Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung a perfect 80^th birthday gift after big celebrations on Wednesday, Amakhosi will go out in full steam against Matsatsantsa this evening with only one change when compared to the team that started against Mamelodi Sundowns three weeks ago. The change will be in the middle of the park where Samkelo Zwane comes in for Edson Castillo, who travelled all the way to Venezuela for the international matches.

Coach Nabi, who welcomed another assistant coach this week in the form of the experienced Cedric Kaze, will keep to his trusted 4-4-2 formation in this knockout match.

Fiacre Ntwari is back in goal after representing Rwanda last week.

There are not changes at the back as Bradley Cross stays at left back, Rushwin Dortley and Inacio Miguel combine at centre-back, and Reeve Frosler is at right-back.

Zwane will join Yusuf Maart in the midfield. Mduduzi Shabalala will be on the right wing and Gaston Sirino is back from injury on the left flank.

The young Wandile Duba will be paired with Ranga Chivaviro in attack.

Maart captains the team for this important match.

Jelly Chavani will take charge of the match. He is assisted by Cledwin Baloyi and Elphas Sitole. The fourth official is Romeo Matibidi.

Amakhosi’s first cup match of the season, this Black Label Knockout clash against Matsatsantsa will kick off at 20:00 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The match is live on SuperSport’s PSL Channel 202 on DStv and SABC radio stations - with regular updates of the match on X (Twitter) @KaizerChiefs.

Line-ups:

Chiefs XI: Ntwari (30), Frosler (39), Miguel (84), Dortley (14), Cross (48), Zwane (37), Maart ©(8), Shabalala (42), Sirino (10), Chivaviro (7), Duba (36)

Subs: Bvuma (44), Msimango (25), Mashiane (19), Mmodi (13), Blom (6), Castillo (17), Ngcobo (12), Vilakazi (28), Du Preez (9)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

SuperSport XI: Goss (20); Mobbie (2), Rapoo (19), Sanoka © (4),  Okon (13), Morris (14), Ndlovu (8), Moralo (38), Ayer (25), Pule (15), Dzvukamanja (11)

Subs: Mbanjwa (11), Baloyi (42), Lakay (24), Jansen (21, Mbangosooun (5), Hlatswayo (3), Poggenpoel (18), Mahlangu (45), Mangezi (9)

Coach: Gavin Hunt