Chiefs already planning for Soweto derby as suspension and injury concerns emerge

Kaizer Chiefs’ preparations for the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on 31 October have already begun, with the club monitoring potential suspensions, injuries and player availability.

Amakhosi have four domestic matches to complete before the meeting with their biggest rivals: three league fixtures and a Carling Knockout first-round tie.

Their schedule begins with Saturday’s game against Polokwane City, followed by Golden Arrows on 20 September and Stellenbosch FC on 17 October. The Carling Knockout fixture will take place between 24 and 27 October.

The derby will be Chiefs’ fifth domestic match after those four fixtures and is already attracting attention inside the dressing room. Two players have even made travel bookings for family members who plan to attend that weekend.

Cards and injuries under scrutiny

Inacio Miguel and Siphesihle Ndlovu are both two yellow cards away from a suspension. Pule Mmodi, Luke Baartman, Langelihle Phili, Thabo Moloisane and Brandon Petersen have each collected one booking.

The injury situation will also be closely followed, particularly in the case of Rushwin Dortley. The defender will hope to return before the derby, alongside Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga, Reeve Frosler, Thabiso Monyane, Flavio Silva and Phili, all of whom have experienced injury problems in recent weeks.

Chiefs avoided the suspension problems that threatened to affect their previous derby in April. Four players had been on three yellow cards for more than a month, but none received the additional booking that would have triggered a suspension.

That group consisted of Flavio Silva, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Mfundo Vilakazi and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.

Silva went through seven matches without being cautioned, while Vilakazi completed six games without seeing a booking. Ndlovu also avoided punishment across four matches.

Confederation Cup bookings separate

Chiefs will also be involved in the second round of CAF Confederation Cup qualifying during the same period. Those matches are scheduled for 16-18 October and 23-25 October, with the club facing either Red Arrows or Rouge of Madagascar.

Any cards received in CAF matches will not count towards the players’ domestic disciplinary records.