Siyethemba Sithebe is being ‘managed’ by Chiefs.
Image: @KaizerChiefs / Twitter
LATEST: Chiefs offer key update on Sithebe progress
Siyethemba Sithebe has received all-important backing from coach Arthur Zwane as Chiefs look to get the best out of the midfielder.
Siyethemba Sithebe is being ‘managed’ by Chiefs.
Image: @KaizerChiefs / Twitter
The 29-year-old Sithebe was frozen out at AmaZulu earlier this year after his decision to agree to a pre-contract with Amakhosi incensed Usuthu club bosses. He finally made the move to Chiefs and has been quick to add value, although it’s clear he has been a bit short of the sharpness associated with regular game time.
In the first of two highly-important weekends of upcoming football in Durban, Kaizer Chiefs will get the ‘festivities’ started this Saturday when they host Chippa United in the DStv Premiership, at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The following weekend, Amakhosi are back at the same venue for the crucial MTN8 semi-final second leg clash against AmaZulu.
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It will be interesting to see how Chiefs could look to deploy Sithebe, with Arthur Zwane explaining the club’s view on the talented playmaker.
“Unfortunately there are games where he ran out of steam, which we expected because there was a time when he was not playing regularly. Actually, he was not playing football at all. So we’re managing him and we believe in him. We know that he will come back strong.”
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Meanwhile, Chiefs do have some positive news in terms of player availability, but there has also been confirmation of one significant injury blow.
Chiefs are currently riding the wave of three successive victories in the league and are looking to continue that momentum against 11th placed Chippa, who have also enjoyed good form of late, collecting maximum six points in their last two engagements.
Given the two teams’ present form, the game on Saturday promises to be a cracker as both teams will aim to continue their winning streaks.
Zwane will be happy to welcome Zitha Kwinika and Lehlogonolo Matlou back into the fold after serving their suspensions. Kwinika missed one game and Matlou was out for two.
Khama Billiat could be ready to return after serving out a period of recovery from a knee injury, but veteran keeper Itumeleng Khune will miss Saturday’s tie against Chippa after picking up a recent injury against Stellenbosch.
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Chiefs climbed up to position four on the log after beating Stellenbosch FC 3-1 on Sunday in Cape Town. The Glamour Boys have collected 17 points in 10 outings, while the Chilli Boys have played one match less and have 11 points in bag.
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The meeting of the two teams from Gauteng and Eastern Cape is expected to be fiercely-contested in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
Kick-off for the DStv match between Amakhosi and Chippa United is at 17:30 on Saturday at Moses Mabhida stadium. Tickets are on sale at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets at R60.
Chiefs are still targeting a place in the MTN8 final
After playing out to a 1-1 draw in the MTN8 semi-final first leg earlier this month, there will great expectations on Chiefs as they look to progress past AmaZulu when they meet again on 23 October.
Usuthu of course have a new coach at the helm, with Romain Folz coming in as a successor to Brandon Truter, who parted ways with the KwaZulu-Natal outfit in the middle of last week.
