Kaizer Chiefs will start the 2022/23 season against Royal AM with a different team looking both on the field as well as the bench following a number of changes the Club made during the off-season break.

With Coach Arthur Zwane having officially taken over the reins, he has decided to give four of the new recruits an opportunity to start the first game of the season against Royal AM.

Full-back Sfiso Hlanti and midfielder Kamohelo Mahlatsi are on their way to full recovery and will not be in the team, while Sibusiso Mabiliso suffered an injury and Phathutshedzo Nange is suspended after receiving marching orders in the last game of the season against Swallows FC.

The four players who will get a run for the “first time” in the Gold & Black colours of Amakhosi, with the exception of Zitha Kwinika who returns after seven years are Yusuf Maart, Siyethemba Sithebe and Ashley Du Preez.

Zwane and his technical team have opted for a 4-3-3 formation against Royal AM this afternoon.

Bruce Bvuma will be in goal for Amakhosi.

In defence Reeve Frosler will be on the left, Njabulo Blom on the right and the two central defenders are Kwinika and Siyabonga Ngezana.

The middle of the park will be manned by Cole Alexander, Maart, and Sithebe.

In attack Chiefs will have Khama Billiat on the left, Keagan Dolly on the right and Du Preez in front of the opposition’s goals.

Another big change is in the captain’s department as Dolly gets to wear the armband.

The match officials are referee Luxolo Badi. He will be assisted by Kenny Mamegwa and Sandile Dilikane. The fourth official is Skhumbuzo Gasa.

Amakhosi’s first DStv Premiership match of the season against Thwihli Thwahla will kick off at 17:30 at a near-capacity Chatsworth Stadium in Chatsworth.

For those who will not be in the stadium, the game will be live 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:  Bvuma (44), Ngezana (30), Kwinika (4), Frosler (39), Blom (45), Alexander (17), Maart (8), Sithebe (6), Dolly (10), Billiat (11), Du Preez (9)

Subs:  Petersen (1), Nj Ngcobo (27), Solomons (18), Mashiane (19), Matlou (22), Nk Ngcobo (12), Shabalala (42), Sekgota (14), Radebe (33)

Coach: Arthur Zwane

RAM: Nyame (16), Nascimento (3), Manganyi © (13), Mogaila (17), Lingwati (24), Kobedi (6),  Mahlasela (12), Ndlovu (23), De Jong (18), Potsane (11), Macuphu (9)

Subs:  Mpoto (25);), Ncobeni (42), Phalane (8), Pelembe (7), Masuku (50), Msomi (2), Cele (40), Gamaldien (30), Shezi (15)

Co-Coaches: Khabo Zondo, Abram Nteo and Dan Malesela