Da Cruz Explains Why Chiefs Have Fewer Muscle Injuries

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has provided an update on the club’s injured players but has not confirmed who will be available for their CAF Confederation Cup second-leg match against Red Arrows.

Amakhosi have been without several key players in recent matches because of different injuries. Lebohang Maboe, Adolf Mtasingwa, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Langelihle Phili and Brandon Petersen have all missed at least the last two games, including the first leg of their encounter against the Zambian side.

Chiefs are under pressure heading into Friday’s return match in Durban after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg. They will need to win the second leg by at least two goals to secure qualification without relying on a penalty shootout.

The Soweto giants are also hoping to end their six-match winless run and secure a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the second consecutive season.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Da Cruz explained that the club’s injured players were making progress in their recovery. However, the French coach did not reveal which players could return for the important match against Red Arrows.

Da Cruz also discussed the nature of the injuries suffered by his squad this season, explaining that Kaizer Chiefs had experienced fewer muscular injuries compared to previous campaigns.

“It’s a good thing to speak about the injured players because since the beginning of the season we decreased the number of muscular injuries,” said Da Cruz.

“If we compare with other seasons we had only three muscular injuries during this season. The other injuries are contact injuries – very unlucky, if you see for example Paseka Mako in pre-season when he broke his arm.”

The Chiefs coach believes the club has made progress in managing muscular injuries, although contact injuries remain difficult to prevent because they often happen during normal football activities.

“So we are on a good way for injured players, the players that will come back, not now but step by step, they are going to come back from injuries,” he added.

Chiefs will continue assessing their players ahead of Friday’s encounter as they prepare for a match that could have a major impact on their continental campaign. Da Cruz will hope his available squad can deliver the required result against Red Arrows.

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