Posted in News, Team News on Feb 25, 2024.
With 15 teams confirmed for the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup, Kaizer Chiefs vs Milford FC will be the last match of the round of 32 to determine the team that will go into the pot when the draw for the second round of this year’s competition is conducted tomorrow.
Chiefs played their first match of the year last weekend when they visited Royal AM in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday. The match ended in a goalless draw.
Similarly, Milford, who play in the lower Motsepe Found Championship (NFD) visited Maritzburg United in Durban and both teams could not find the back of the net after 90 minutes in the KZN derby.
Coach Cavin Johnson understands the importance of doing well in this cup competition and has lined up a formidable team to take on the side from Richards Bay.
Chiefs hold the record of winning the competition 13 times and have reached 19 finals in the last 50 or so years. They will want to do better after being knocked out in the semi-finals last year.
Apart from the injured players, Chiefs will be without defender S’fiso Hlanti, after he picked up his 4th yellow card last weekend.
There are five changes in the team when compared to last weekend’s league match. The suspended Hlanti will be replaced by Happy Mashiane, Njabulo Ngcobo makes way for Edmilson Dove and Zitha Kwinika will take Reeve Frosler’s place at the back.
In the middle of the park captain Yusuf Maart will be replaced by Sibongiseni Mthethwa and the young Mduduzi Shabalala comes on for Pule Mmodi in attack.
The coach will play his regular 4-2-3-1 formation.
With four clean sheets in the last five matches, Bruce Bvuma is the goalkeeper.
From left to right Chiefs will have Mashiane at left-back, Dove returns to partner Given Msimango at centre-back, and Kwinika will run on the right of defence.
Edson Castillo will work with the reliable Mthethwa in the middle of the park.
The attacking trio of midfielders will have Shabalala on the left, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo behind the striker and Christian Saile on the flank.
Ashley Du Preez will lead the attack this evening.
Maart will captain the team.
This evening’s referee is Xola Sitela. He is assisted by Modisa Moretsi and Athuxolo Madela. The fourth official will be Moses Kheswa.
The Nedbank Cup round of 32 clash between The Glamour Boys and Milford FC will be played under the floodlights starting at 18:00 at FNB Stadium in Nasrec. 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.
Chiefs XI: Bvuma (44), Dove © (2), Kwinika (4), Mashiane (19), Msimango (25), Mthethwa (5), Castillo (17), Nk Ngcobo (12), Shabalala (42), Du Preez (9), Saile Basomboli (21)
Subs: Petersen (1); Nj Ngcobo (27), Solomons (18), Maart (8), Vilakazi (28), Dolly (11), Duba (36), Mmodi (13), Chivaviro (7)
Coach: Cavin Johnson
Milford XI: Hleza (32), Mthabela (24), Mbhele (50), Ngxongo © (13), Somabhele (7), Mthiyane (11), Ndlabi (21), Nzama (25), Zikakayo (40), Gxakoshe (26), Chili (8).
Subs: Madondo (30); Cele (22), Vilakazi (3), Mbambo (36), Mthwethwa (55), Mkhize (10), Siyaya (20), Sigomoshe (2), Magubane (27)
Coach: Pupuma Xanti
