Posted in News, Team News on Dec 31, 2022.
PSL action is back after the FIFA World Cup interlude, and Kaizer Chiefs restart their 2022/23 season with an away encounter against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban this afternoon.
This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in what is the 14th match of the season for both, on this last day of the year.
Amakhosi are determined to close out the year on high by winning the match and moving up the log table. The Glamour Boys are in 4th position on the DStv Premiership table after 13 games with 21 points. Arrows lie in 8th spot with 16 points in the kitty.
Chiefs were last in action against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby which the Glamour Boys won 1-0 on 29 October, thanks to Yusuf Maart’s spectacular goal.
Chiefs go into this afternoon’s match with a number of changes brought about by recoveries, injuries and Njabulo Blom’s departure.
On the recovery list, Chiefs have Itumeleng Khune and Caleb-Bonfils Bimenyimana who missed the last match in October. Khune will start the match, replacing Brandon Petersen in goal and striker Bimenyimana comes on for the injured Khama Billiat.
Two players, Samkelo Zwane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi will make their full debuts, playing from the start for the first time. Zwane, who is a product of Chiefs’ development, will replace another development graduate, Blom, who was sold MLS side, St. Louis City SC in the United States last week. Mahlatsi, who arrived at the start of the season, comes in for Ashley Du Preez, who is nursing an injury.
Another change is at right-back, with Reeve Frosler displacing Dillan Solomons.
The team will go for a 4-5-1 formation this afternoon.
Khune will take care of the goalkeeping duties.
He will be backed by a formidable defence of Reeve Frosler on the right, Zitha Kwinika and Edmilson Dove in central defence. The experienced S’fiso Hlanti will be at left back.
In midfield, young Zwane will work with Maart.
Mahlatsi will be on the left, Keagan Dolly on the right and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo will operate behind the striker.
Bimenyimana leads Amakhosi’s attack this afternoon.
Captain Khune will reclaim the armband.
This afternoon’s match officials are referee Xola Sitela; assistant referees Jantjie Dlamini and Thabang Matlhong. The fourth official is Jelly Chavani.
The Glamour Boys and Abafana Besthende will kick off 15:30 at Moses Mabhida Stadium . The 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: Khune (32); Kwinika (4), Dove (2), Hlanti (23), Frosler (39), Zwane (37), Maart (8), Nk Ngcobo (12), Dolly (10), Mahlatsi (5), Bimenyimana (28)
Subs: Bvuma (44); Solomons (18), Ngezana (30), Nj Ngcobo (27) Sithebe (6), Sekgota (14), Rabede (33), Duba (36), Shabalala (42)
Coach: Arthur Zwane
Arrows XI: Mlungwana (36); Gumbi (2), Lunga (3), Nxadi (27), Ndlovu (37), Dlamini (24), Sibiya (11), Moon (9), Mmodi (13), Zuke © (15), Mutizwa (18)
Subs: Mbatha (28), Magawana (7), Shitolo (5), Mantshiyane (35), Fikizolo (34), Magubane (26), Khumalo (4), Nkosi (25), Dube (23)
Coaches: Vusimuzi Vilakazi and Mabhudi Khenyeza
