Chiefs Trio’s Absence Clarified

Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki recently revealed the reasons for the club’s lack of key players in their 1-0 loss to AmaZulu FC in the Carling Knockout. Ntseki stated that goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and defender Sifiso Hlanti had not recovered from injuries sustained before the FIFA break in time to feature against Usuthu, while forward Ashley Du Preez got injured during their preparations ahead of the match.

Itumeleng Khune was in goal for Chiefs, who were also without key striker Ashley Du Preez, as Ranga Chivaviro led the front line while Edmilson Dove started at left-back but got injured in the first stanza, forcing Chiefs to play Reeve Frosler at left-back.

“In the last game we played against Cape Town City, Hlanti was injured before that game and he was actually going to return to training in terms of the preparation going into that game,” Ntseki said in a press conference. “George (Matlou) and Petersen they got injured a day before we played Cape Town City, so George managed to recover in time to be available for selection. But for Petersen he’s still going through a return to training.

“Unfortunately for Ashley Du Preez he got injured a day before we came in (AmaZulu), so those are the injuries we sustained. But we have quality players, we have to regroup and come up with a plan in terms of giving other players a chance,” he said.

“We saw Ranga starting, (Jasond) Gonzalez coming, the club has got players that were brought to help whenever there are situations like that one of injuries,” Ntseki added.

Chiefs will be next in action when they return to the Premiership on Saturday afternoon away to Golden Arrows. On Monday afternoon, Amakhosi confirmed that Cavin Johnson is the new head coach of the club, taking over on an interim basis. Ntseki was relieved of his duties while Zwane has moved back into the development structures.