Kaizer Chiefs name 23-man squad for Red Arrows tie as injuries limit changes

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed a 23-man travelling squad for Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup preliminary second-round first leg against Zambia’s Red Arrows F.C., with head coach Fernando Da Cruz warning that injuries will restrict his options.

The match will be played at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola, Zambia, on 17 October 2026.

Chiefs go into the continental fixture after drawing 1-1 with Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium earlier this week. Da Cruz said he expects to make only limited changes to the side because several players remain unavailable.

“If we compare the squad [against Stellenbosch], it will be more or less the same, maybe one or two changes, but we will not recover our injured players,” he told the media at the Carling Knockout Launch on Wednesday.

Lebohang Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu are among those still out, leaving the coaching staff to rely on the available players for the away match in Zambia.

The squad travelling with Chiefs is:

Ronaldo Leaner, Bruce Bvuma, Takalani Mazhamba, Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, Kabelo Nkgwesa, Inacio Miguel, Rushwin Dortley, Zitha Kwinika, Reeve Frosler, Bradley Cross, Thabo Moloisane, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Thulani Mabaso, Mduduzi Shabalala, Ethan Chislett, Mfundo Vilakazi, Luke Baartman, Asanele Velebayi, Faiz Abrahams, Flavio Da Silva, Wandile Duba and Etiosa Ighodaro.

The tie represents another opportunity for Kaizer Chiefs to challenge for silverware this season. The club did not take part in the MTN8 earlier in the campaign, increasing the importance of their continental involvement.

Chiefs will host Red Arrows in the second leg on 23 October 2026 after returning from Zambia. They will then turn their attention to a major domestic fixture against bitter rivals Orlando Pirates F.C. later in the month.

Da Cruz’s comments suggest continuity will be central to Chiefs’ approach as they attempt to balance their continental commitments with a mounting injury list. With Maboe, Ndlovu and other unavailable players not yet ready to return, the travelling group named by the club will provide the basis for Saturday’s team selection.