Chiefs face Abrahams selection confusion after Stellenbosch draw

Kaizer Chiefs were forced to remove Faiz Abrahams from their starting line-up shortly before their 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch FC after discovering that his loan agreement prevented him from playing against his parent club.

Abrahams, who is on loan from Stellenbosch FC, had appeared set to make his second start and fifth appearance for AmaKhosi in the Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium.

However, the restriction in his contract was identified before kick-off by someone within the club or technical team. Abrahams was withdrawn from the squad and replaced by Mdu Shabalala.

Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard said he could not provide a detailed explanation because the team had prepared for the match with Abrahams included.

“I don’t want to comment too much about it because I didn’t know too much leading up to it, because we had prepared the game with him,” Sheppard said.

The change added to a difficult evening for Chiefs, who fell behind to Sinoxolo Kwayiba’s goal before Shabalala equalised moments later. The home side also missed several opportunities to claim all three points.

Sheppard acknowledged that Chiefs’ performance became less consistent as the match progressed.

“I think we controlled the early parts of the game with our possession and created some moments in the pockets, but as the game went on we lost control a bit. We were too inconsistent with our performance,” he said.

Chiefs’ approach also attracted attention, with six players carrying a defensive profile in the starting line-up. Alongside a back three and two wing-backs, Reeve Frosler was deployed in a defensive midfield position.

That structure restricted Chiefs’ attacking threat, but Sheppard said injuries and the return of players from long-term absences had influenced the selection.

“The reason for the lineup was to cater for the injuries and guys that are coming back after a long-term injury. For example, we worked with Reeve Frosler in that midfield position during pre-season as one of our alternative options,” he said.

“We wanted to control key areas and use our wingbacks to get in behind them but we didn’t anticipate Stellies to shape up the way they did.

“You may say we went defensive tonight but if you can play with high wingbacks then the 3-5-2 shape becomes very attacking.”

The result was Chiefs’ fifth draw in their opening eight matches of the season, leaving them further adrift of the leading teams after Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu all won on the same night.

Chiefs are nine points behind Sundowns, who have played one more match, eight points behind Pirates and five points behind AmaZulu, who have played the same number of games.

With key midfielders Lebohang Maboe, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Adolf Mtansingwa among those absent, Chiefs’ squad depth was tested. Sheppard argued that the number of available players was not the central reason for their difficulties, despite its impact being visible during the match.