itumeleng khune

Itumeleng Khune G/K of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2016 Premier Soccer League match between Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa on the 24th September 2016

Photo by: Steve Haag / Real Time Images

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune mysteriously benched for Leopards clash as Derby looms

Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas has raised a few eyebrows by benching Itumeleng Khune for the Telkom Knockout clash against Black Leopards.

itumeleng khune

Itumeleng Khune G/K of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2016 Premier Soccer League match between Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa on the 24th September 2016

Photo by: Steve Haag / Real Time Images

Namibian international Virgil Vries was handed a rare start by Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas, with veteran shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune benched for the Telkom Knockout first-round clash against Black Leopards at FNB Stadium.

Amakhosi are looking to book their place in the quarterfinals of the competition by going past the newly-promoted side, who are their last opponents before they are set to take on bitter rivals Orlando Pirates in the same venue on Saturday.

Khune – who featured for Bafana during the international break – is not the only notable absentee in the Kaizer Chiefs starting line-up, as star forward Khama Billiat was not included in the matchday squad after picking up a knock on international duty for Zimbabwe.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns man joins a long injury list which includes his former teammate at the Brazilians Leonardo Castro, as well as Lebogang Manyama, who is on the mend after fracturing his elbow in a car accident earlier this week.

The match is currently underway.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Black Leopards: Starting XIs

Kaizer Chiefs: Vries, Mphahlele, Mathoho, Booysen, Walusimbi, Ekstein, Katsande, Ntshangase, Zulu, Parker, Paez.

Substitutes: Khune, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Maluleka, Jayiya, Moon, Mahlasela.

Head coach: Giovanni Solinas.

Black Leopards: K. Ndlovu, Munyai, Zulu, Munganga, Katjiukua, Nange, Mhlongo, Nene, Musonda, Kapinga, Hlongwane.

Substitutes: Muleka, Ndou, T. Ndlovu, Khutlang, Mokoena, Tshepe, Mahangwahaya.

Head Coach: Joel Masutha.