Kaizer Chiefs news: Kearyn Baccus ruled out of TKO derby

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Kearyn Baccus will have to wait for his competitive Soweto Derby debut, after coach Ernst Middendorp declared him unavailable for the Telkom Knockout clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

The two rivals meet in the quarterfinal at Moses Mabhida Stadium, before returning to the more familiar turf of FNB Stadium for a league clash seven days later.

Kaizer Chiefs lose Baccus ahead of Soweto Derby

Amakhosi will have to do so without a few of their key players, including Baccus, who joined the club during the off-season.

This was confirmed by the German, who gave an injury update on Thursday.

“Kearyn Baccus will definitely not be [available], but we said it immediately after his injury that he will take a time of three weeks. At the moment we’re in the second week. So, we’re saying no chance,” he added.

“Otherwise, good, we have experienced the substitutions coming in. So far, we are busy preparing players to take over these positions hopefully with the same performance as we have seen lately.”

Ernst Middendorp

Rather early in his first season at Naturena, Baccus has been one of the standout out players responsible for what’s been a revival for the club.

After contributing to four goals in nine matches across competitions, he missed out on selection for the first time when Chiefs beat Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

This was after picking up a blow the Telkom Knockout first-round clash against Cape Town City last month.

Good and bad news on the injury front for Amakhosi

Also ruled out of selection is young fullback Reeve Frosler, who started from the bench against Sundowns, just after returning from a short spell on the sidelines.

Amakhosi have however ess been boosted by the likely return of squad captain, Bernard Parker, who Middendorp said was fit for the encounter.

There was, however, no word on the availability of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who has only managed a little over 100 minutes of action all year.

Chiefs haven’t beaten Pirates in a competitive match since December 2014, and were knocked out of the Telkom Knockout when the two sides met in the 2018 semifinal.

Kick off on Saturday is at 15:00 (SAST)