Kaizer Chiefs have SIX players who have headed off to represent their countries in 2022 Soccer World Cup qualifiers this week as the race to reach Qatar for next year’s tournament heats up.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Black Leopards: Head to head, teams, kick off and live stream
Amakhosi have had horrendous luck with injuries, which threatens to stand in the way of them finally ending their trophy drought.
Kaizer Chiefs have SIX players who have headed off to represent their countries in 2022 Soccer World Cup qualifiers this week as the race to reach Qatar for next year’s tournament heats up.
Kaizer Chiefs kick off their Telkom Knockout campaign with a home clash, as they host Black Leopards at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
The Soweto giants are – much like their bitter rivals Orlando Pirates – enduring a long trophy drought, with their last triumph coming in 2015 when they hoisted the league title under current Bafana coach Stuart Baxter.
With Italian mentor Giovanni Solinas at the helm, they have recently had a taste of silverware with the Macufe Cup over the weekend, but will be looking to go all the way in the more prestigious League Cup.
They will, however, go in Sunday’s fixture without the talents of Lebogang Manyama, who has been ruled out for six weeks after a car accident earlier in the week and will be sweating over the fitness of the talismanic Khama Billiat who is also an injury concern.
Kaizer Chiefs also have a few other players currently on the mend, including striker Leonardo Castro, as well as fullback Joseph Malongoane who broke his ankle against Free State Stars in August.
Telkom Knockout: What the coaches are saying
Solinas has noted the club’s “bad luck” with injuries and vowed that things will turn around.
“We have a small problem with Khama, tomorrow we will decide with the team doctor. I don’t think it is a major problem, but I don’t know if Khama can play on Sunday or not.,” he is quoted by EWN.
At the moment, we are fighting against a run of bad luck with injuries, but we will win against this bad luck. This bad luck started with Joseph when he fractured his leg, then Castro and now it’s Lebo, so I’m pleading with this bad luck to finish.”
Amakhosi are up against a side that has had a bit of a struggle since returning to the top-flight at the start of the season, winning just two matches and losing four in their eight so far.
However, coach Joel Masutha believes the pressure brought on their fancied opponents by their trophy drought could play into his charges hands.
“Everyone is excited to play big teams. My players will be motivated on the field. They want to test themselves against a Chiefs team that has not won a cup in like three years. They [Chiefs] will be under pressure and they will be forced to come at us.”
Kaizer Chiefs vs Black Leopards: Head to head
Black Leopards were relegated into the first division at the end of the 2012/13 season, but did encounter Kaizer Chiefs once in the 2014/15 Nedbank Cup, where they emerged victorious, winning 2-1 in the round of 16.
In matches prior to that, the two teams met four times in the period where Lidoda Duvha had their last run in the top flight, with Amakhosi winning three of those encounters, while the Thohoyandou-based outfit prevailed just once.
Kick off and where to watch
Kick off: 15:30
TV and live stream: Supersport 4 (SS4)
