Kaizer Chiefs can cope with midfield injuries, says Mokete Tsotetsi

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Mokete Tsotetsi believes the club have enough midfield options to beat Stellenbosch FC despite the absences of Lebohang Maboe, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Adolf Mtasingwa.

Amakhosi host Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium this evening as they attempt to keep pace with early leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

Head coach Fernando da Cruz can call on Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Ethan Chislett in midfield, and Tsotetsi says those players are capable of filling the gap left by the injured trio.

“Maboe and Ndlovu have been doing well together, so the injuries could have an effect,” Tsotetsi told the Siya crew.

“But Mthethwa is there and he has been doing well and Ngcobo is there as well. I still believe that those players can give the team their best in midfield.”

Tsotetsi acknowledged that the injuries had weakened Chiefs, but rejected the idea that the club should necessarily have signed more midfielders during the transfer window.

“You can’t really say if they should have signed more during the transfer window,” he said. “Sometimes you can have a lot of midfielders and 90 percent of them get injured. That happens in football. They still have players who can do the job for the team.”

Chiefs will also be without Langelihle Phili in attack, while Khanyisa Mayo is continuing his recovery after missing the start of the camp because of injury.

The situation places greater responsibility on squad members who have not featured regularly in recent times. They will be expected to demonstrate that Chiefs can rely on them during a difficult spell and in the absence of key players.

Amakhosi are fourth in the standings and seven points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. With the season still in its early stages, they will be keen to avoid dropping points and allowing the gap at the top to grow.

Tsotetsi said the available players must now respond to the challenge rather than focus on those who are unavailable, with Chiefs seeking maximum points against Stellenbosch FC.