Kaizer Chiefs face significant challenges ahead of the Cufa Cup on Sunday, as nine players will be unavailable due to injuries or international duty.
This situation presents an opportunity for coach Nasreddine Nabi to shuffle his squad and test new combinations.
Five players are currently sidelined with injuries. However, there is some positive news: goalkeeper Brandon Petersen has recovered from a finger injury, while teammates George Matlou, Tebogo Potsane, and Edmilson Dove are expected to return to full training soon.
Matlou has struggled with injuries since joining the club in 2022, and Dove is looking to reclaim his position after a pre-season injury in Turkey.
Unfortunately, Gaston Sirino will be out for a few weeks following a knock sustained against Mamelodi Sundowns.
In addition to these injuries, four Chiefs players are away on international duty. Notably, Rushwin Dortley earned his third cap for South Africa and kept a clean sheet in a 5-0 victory over Congo during Afcon qualifying. The national team will face Congo again on October 15.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari had a night to forget as Rwanda lost 3-0 to Benin, while Thatayaone Ditlhokwe helped Botswana secure a narrow 1-0 win over Cape Verde.
Additionally, Edson Castillo featured for Venezuela in their 1-1 draw against Argentina, sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi.
With such a depleted squad, Nabi will have to rely on depth and creativity from the remaining players. The upcoming friendly against Marumo Gallants is crucial for maintaining fitness levels during this international break.
The match also serves as preparation for the next significant challenge in the knockout rounds of the league.
As Chiefs aim to keep their momentum going after a positive start to the season, this weekend’s match offers a chance not only to rotate the squad but also to ensure that they remain competitive despite the absences.