Kaizer Chiefs face questions after Faiz Abrahams selection error

Kaizer Chiefs were forced to remove Faiz Abrahams from their starting XI shortly before kick-off in Tuesday’s 1-1 Betway Premiership draw with Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium.

The 21-year-old winger had been named in the official team sheet, but was replaced by Mduduzi Shabalala before the match began. The late change prevented Chiefs from risking a default under the terms of Abrahams’ loan agreement.

It later emerged that the deal with Stellenbosch FC prevents the junior international from playing against his parent club, leaving Chiefs embarrassed by the selection mistake.

Assistant coach Dillon Sheppard acknowledged that Abrahams had been part of the team’s preparations during the week and appeared to suggest the contractual restriction was only discovered roughly an hour before kick-off.

“I don’t want to comment too much about it. I don’t really know too much leading up to it,” Sheppard said during the post-match news conference when asked why Abrahams had been withdrawn.

“Obviously we had prepared the game with him and there were some issues and he couldn’t start.”

The replacement proved significant for Chiefs, with Shabalala scoring their equaliser in the 58th minute. Sinoxolo Kwayiba had put Stellenbosch FC ahead in the 48th minute.

The result extended Chiefs’ run of draws to five in their past eight matches. They have won three of those games and sit fourth in the Premiership after being held at home.

Sheppard also explained why he, rather than head coach Fernando da Cruz, attended the post-match briefing. The Frenchman had fallen ill at the end of the match.

“He was vomiting, is with the doctors and they are checking on him,” Sheppard said.