Kaizer Chiefs will kick off their Cup ambitions this evening when they visit Maritzburg United for the first round of the 2023 edition of the Nedbank Cup in Pietermaritzburg.

The two teams meet for the second time this season, having played a league encounter, in which Chiefs were runaway 3-0 winners.

Since then the hosts have made several changes to their team and coaching department, where Fadlu Davids has come in to replace John Maduka in the hot seat.

As has been the case in the last few matches, Amakhosi are coming into this one after having lost another player through injury. In their last match, a 0-0 DStv Premiership draw against TS Galaxy, striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana was stretchered off the pitch and will not be available this evening.

Bimenyimana’s absence will see Christian Saile Basomboli make his full debut for Amakhosi, after coming off the bench on two previous occasions. The Democratic Republic of Congo native will be a direct replacement for the Burundian attacker.

Apart from that one enforced change, coach Arthur Zwane has kept the same team that took the field against TS Galaxy in Nelspruit last Sunday.

The team, though, has changed to a 4-4-2 formation this evening.

Brandon Petersen keeps his position between the goal posts.

In defence Chiefs have S’fiso Hlanti at left-back. Edmilson Dove will be with Zitha Kwinika at the centre of Amakhosi’s defence, and Siyabonga Ngezana will be on the right once again as other players remain injured.

Siyethemba Sithebe and Yusuf Maart are in midfield.

Ashley Du Preez is on the left and Keagan Dolly will run on the right.

Recently signed striker, Basomboli, together with the young Mduduzi Shabalala, will lead the attack.

Dolly is the skipper.

The officiating team will have referee Abongile Tom in the middle of the park. His assistants are Zakhele Siwela and Kgara Mokoena. The match’s fourth official is Thokozani Mkhize.

Glamour Boys and the Team of Choice will kick off at 19:30 at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. The round of 32 Nedbank Cup match will be live on SuperSport’s PSL Channel 202 on DStv, and various SABC radio stations - with regular updates of the match on Twitter @KaizerChiefs.

Line-ups:

Chiefs XI: Petersen (1); Hlanti (23), Dove (2), Ngezana (30), Kwinika (4), Maart (8), Sithebe (6), Shabalala (42), Dolly © (10), Du Preez (9), Saile Basomboli (21),

Subs: Khune (32); Mathoho (3), Nj Ngcobo (27), Nange (24), Zwane (37), Mashiane (19), Matlou (22), Sekgota (14), Duba (36)

Coach: Arthur Zwane

Maritzburg XI: Ndlovu (31), Tlolane (50), De Goede (3), Palace (28), Graham © (6), Cross (2), Moloisane (23), Jooste (45), Meza (14), Kimvuidi (26), Peprah (46)

Subs: Leaner (32), Ndengane (27), Samu (20), Bhengu (24), Makume (5), Buthelezi (40), Human (10), Ritchie (16), Soukouna (11)

Coach: Fadlu Davids