Kaizer Chiefs left-back crisis worsens after further injury setbacks

Kaizer Chiefs’ shortage of left-backs has intensified after Reeve Frosler and promising teenager Kabelo Nkgwesa joined Bradley Cross, Paseka Mako and Nkanyiso Shinga on the injury list.

The Soweto club have already been forced to reorganise their defence in the opening stages of the season, with first-choice options Cross and Mako unavailable. Shinga, who joined Kaizer Chiefs last season, has also been sidelined by injury.

With few natural replacements available, coach Fernando Da Cruz initially turned to Frosler, a versatile defender capable of operating in several positions. Frosler started Kaizer Chiefs’ first three matches of the campaign and provided cover on the left side of the defence.

That solution was removed before Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium. Da Cruz confirmed that Frosler was unavailable, while Nkgwesa was also ruled out after making an encouraging senior debut against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday.

“Our left-backs are all injured,” Da Cruz told the media after the hard-fought draw with Sundowns.

“Between the match against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday and today [Saturday], we lost Reeve and Kabelo.”

Nkgwesa, 19, had impressed during his first senior appearance, raising hopes that the highly regarded defender could help address Kaizer Chiefs’ difficulties at left-back. His injury instead left Da Cruz with another gap to fill before the meeting with the Brazilians.

The French coach responded by deploying attacker Pule Mmodi as a left wing-back against the Tshwane side.

Kaizer Chiefs’ injury problems are not limited to one position. Striker Khanyisa Mayo is also sidelined, while development product Thulani Mabaso is recovering from an injury.

Defenders Rushwin Dortley and Flavio Da Silva are unavailable as well, further reducing Da Cruz’s selection options during the early part of the campaign.

The club must now manage the absence of Cross, Mako, Shinga, Frosler and Nkgwesa as they attempt to negotiate a demanding start to the season. The latest setbacks have left Da Cruz facing a significant selection dilemma at left-back, with the position having already required several changes before the first month of the campaign has been completed.