Kaizer Chiefs’ 23-man squad leaves for Tanzania with decision made over goalkeepers

Kaizer Chiefs will fly to Tanzania on Thursday to embrace their CAF Champions League destiny in confident mood and with a near full-strength squad.

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Amakhosi coach Gavin Hunt and his charges fly out on Thursday afternoon to Dar es Salam in Tanzania for the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-final clash against Simba SC in good spirits as they look to defend their 4-0 first leg lead.

Kaizer Chiefs have a number of players returning from injury and suspension as they look to see out the game and head into the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

For Kaizer Chiefs to be eliminated they would need to lose the match by five or more goals.

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In the CAF Champions League, Kaizer Chiefs have never previously conceded five goals in a game with their two previous biggest loses being 4-0 defeats against Esperance in 2005 and Wydad Casablanca in the current group stages.

A similar loss will send the match to a penalty shoot-out.

Kaizer Chiefs, though, will be looking to make their own history and will be mindful not to be complacent and allow Simba SC a way back into the tie.

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Should Kaizer Chiefs manage to reach the CAF Champions League semi-finals, they will become only the third South African side to do so along with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Simba have been strong at home in the 2020/21 CAF Champions League and have won four of their five home games, conceding just once at home as they triumphed in four home games, while drawing one.

They won all three of their home games in the group stages and are undefeated in their last 12 games at home (W9 D3) in the CAF Champions League.

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Amakhosi welcome back Itumeleng Khune from injury, who makes his way into the squad of 23 players coach Gavin Hunt will be taking along with him to Tanzania, along with Daniel Akpeyi and Bruce Bvuma who was in goal during Kaizer Chiefs first leg triumph over Simba.

Also key for Kaizer Chiefs will be the experience of the likes of Leonardo Castro, the Colombian forward was a Champions League winner with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016. He will know how to handle the pressure in the latter stages of this competition.

The match at the national stadium in Dar es Salam will kick off at 15:00 SA time.

The referee for the game is Pacifique Ndabihawenimana, who hails from Burundi.

Kaizer Chiefs 23-man squad for Simba SC match:

Goalkeepers: Bruce Bvuma, Daniel Akpeyi, Itumeleng Khune

Defenders: Njabulo Blom, Reeve Frosler, Daniel Cardoso, Anthony Akumu Agay, Happy Mashiane, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Kgotso Moleko, Yagan Sasman, Siphosakhe Ntiya- Ntiya, Siyabonga Ngezana

Midfielders: Philani Zulu, Kearyn Baccus, Lebogang Manyama, Willard Katsande, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo

Forwards: Bernard Parker, Samir Nurković, Leonardo Castro, Lazalous Kambole