Posted in News, Team News on Dec 12, 2021.
Chiefs return to action this evening after a two-week hiatus enforced by a Covid-19 outbreak that swept the Kaizer Chiefs Village last week. Amakhosi saw a gradual increase in Covid infections from late November.
With some people having come back after completing their isolation and quarantine period, the team will face Sekhukhune United who are in their first season of the elite league of South African football this evening at FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi were last in action against Swallows FC in the DStv Premiership on 28 November. The Soweto Derby between the Birds and Amakhosi staged at Dobsonville Stadium ended with the visitors winning 3-1. The result saw Amakhosi climb up to the second spot on the log. Amakhosi are now 6th with 22 points.
Because of Amakhosi’s inability to play their last two scheduled matches, this gave other teams a chance to climb up the log. One of those teams is Sekhukhune who are now in position 3 after 14 games. They have collected 23 points.
Babina Noko as they are affectionately known, lost their midweek game to Marumo Gallants by a goal to nil.
The first change that will be noticed on the side of Amakhosi is on the bench as Coach Arthur Zwane will be leading the technical team in coach Stuart Baxter’s absence.
As expected, a number of changes have been made to the team, largely to Covid-19. Zwane has tried to keep as much as possible some of the regulars where possible but mixed his team with other players who have not seen much game time this season.
A total of six changes have been made to the line-up. Njabulo Blom, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Reeve Froler, Siyabonga Ngezana, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Leonardo Castro will start today. They will replace Mulomowandu Mathoho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Anthony Akumu Agay, Kearyn Baccus, Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat in the line-up.
Chiefs will play a 4-3-3 formation for today’s match.
Daniel Akpeyi is the game’s goalkeeper.
In defence Chiefs will have Austin Dube and Ngezana. Ntiya-Nitya will play on the left, while Frosler will defend on the right.
In the middle of the park, Chiefs will have Daniel Cardoso, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Parker
Upfront Chiefs will attack with Happy Mashine on the left, Blom on the right and Castro will lead the attack.
Parker will wear the captain’s armband.
Chiefs have added youngsters to the line up with Aiden McCarthy, Mduduzi Shabalala and Rahim Milazi to their team but the three reserve side’s players will sit on the bench.
The match officials are referee Victor Hlungwani. He will be assisted by Emmanuel de Sani and Moeketsi Molelekoa. The fourth official is Able Maphutha.
The DStv Premierhip between the Glamour Boys and Babina Noko will start at 18:00 at FNB Stadium in Nasrec. No spectators will be allowed in the stadium. The game will be live on SuperSport’s PSL Channel 202 on DStv and carried by various SABC Radio stations, with regular updates of the match on Twitter @KaizerChiefs.
Line-ups:
Chiefs XI: Akpeyi (40), Cardoso (4), Ngezana (30), Ntiya-Ntiya (36), Frosler (39), Dube (29), Blom (45), Nk Ngcobo (12), Mashiane (19), Parker (25), Castro (8)
Subs: Bvuma (1), Mathoho (3), Mabiliso (26), Nange (24), Sekgota (14), Nj Ngcobo (27), McCarthy (46), Shabalala (42), Milazi (41)
Coach: Arthur Zwane
Sekhukhune XI: Nsabata (1), Mobbie (42), Maart© (6), Motsepe (13), Gyimah (39), Katsande (31), Jampies (21), Patjie (11), Rakhale (25), Nxumalo (22), Chawapihwa (27)
Subs: Kapini (17), Matona (14), Chabalala (29), Madonsela (5), Parusnath (26), Molaba (28), Mahlangu (35), Sibanyoni (23), Sithole (24)
Coach: Macdonald Makhubedu
