Fernando Da Cruz Reveals Renaldo Leaner’s Injury As Kaizer Chiefs Battle With Five Injured Players

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has revealed that goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner missed the CAF Confederation Cup encounter against Red Arrows after suffering a finger injury on the eve of the match.

The revelation comes at a difficult time for Amakhosi, who have reportedly been dealing with five injured players as they navigate a demanding period of the season.

Da Cruz acknowledged the injury challenges facing his squad but remained positive about the team’s overall performances despite the setbacks.

“When you see our team today, we have five players injured, and when you look at the performance of the team, it’s very positive,” the Chiefs coach said.

Leaner’s absence meant Chiefs had to adjust their goalkeeping options ahead of the continental fixture. The finger injury reportedly occurred a day before the match, leaving the technical team with limited time to prepare for his unavailability.

The injury news adds to the concerns surrounding the squad as Chiefs continue their campaign across domestic and continental competitions. Injuries can disrupt team selection, affect tactical preparations and place additional pressure on available players.

Despite these challenges, Da Cruz believes the team’s performances have shown encouraging signs. His comments suggest that the coaching staff remain focused on maintaining competitiveness while managing the physical demands placed on the squad.

Chiefs’ continental campaign, however, ended in disappointment after they were eliminated by Red Arrows following a penalty shootout defeat. The result denied the Soweto giants a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.

The elimination will be a setback for the club, but attention must now turn to its remaining commitments and ensuring that injured players receive the necessary treatment before returning to action.

The club will also need to assess the fitness of its unavailable players as the technical team works towards improving consistency and results.

For Chiefs supporters, Leaner’s injury is another development to monitor, with further clarity needed on the goalkeeper’s recovery timeline and whether the other injured players will be available for upcoming matches.

Da Cruz will hope his squad can maintain its positive performances while overcoming the injury setbacks affecting the team.

Source : https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2113901820762279969