Kaizer Chiefs quartet face suspension threat before Soweto derby

Kaizer Chiefs risk losing four players to suspension for the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on 31 October.

Thabo Moloisane, Inacio Miguel, Pule Mmodi and Siphesihle Ndlovu are all on two yellow cards and will miss the derby if they receive two more bookings in their next two domestic matches.

Chiefs host Stellenbosch on Tuesday before playing a first-round Carling KnockOut Cup tie. Those fixtures come before the meeting with Pirates, leaving the quartet vulnerable to suspension at a crucial stage of the season.

The club also have two matches against Zambia’s Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup second qualifying round scheduled before the derby. However, cautions received in the continental games will not count towards the players’ disciplinary records in domestic competitions.

The suspension concern comes as Chiefs are already dealing with a number of injury issues. Brandon Petersen, Lebohang Maboe, Langelihle Phili, Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko and Siphesihle Ndlovu are among those currently listed as injury concerns, with the club hoping the situation does not worsen.

Pirates have a similar disciplinary issue ahead of the Soweto derby. Kamogelo Sebelebele, Mthetheleli Mthiyane and Simphiwe Masilela have each collected two yellow cards, and they also have two domestic matches to play before facing Chiefs.

That means all three Pirates players would be suspended for the derby if they receive two further bookings in those fixtures.

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns have three players one booking away from a suspension. Teboho Mokoena, Tashreeq Matthews and Grant Kekana are each currently on one yellow card.

With Chiefs and Pirates both required to negotiate further domestic matches before 31 October, the disciplinary records of several key players will remain under close attention as the derby approaches.