Kaizer Chiefs face tough selection decisions ahead of vital Mamelodi Sundowns clash.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is dealing with a significant selection dilemma as his side prepares for their showdown with Mamelodi Sundowns. Two key players, Miguel Inacio and Thabo Cele, are each one yellow card away from suspension, potentially threatening Chiefs’ push for the Betway Premiership title.
Before focusing on Sundowns, Chiefs must first tackle a tricky fixture against SuperSport United at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night. A win would push Amakhosi from sixth to fourth in the standings. However, with Inacio and Cele both sitting on three yellow cards, another booking would see them sidelined for the crucial match against Sundowns.
Complicating matters further, Royal AM’s ongoing legal issues, related to their owner Shauwn Mkhize’s tax troubles, have caused their fixtures to be indefinitely postponed. As a result, Chiefs will face Sundowns directly after the SuperSport match, without a buffer game against Royal AM, heightening the risk of losing key players.
Nabi now faces a difficult choice: risk playing Inacio and Cele against SuperSport, or protect them for the much-anticipated Sundowns clash. Cele has been instrumental in Chiefs’ recent matches, accumulating cautions in the last three games. According to the NSL Handbook, any player who receives four yellow cards in a season will be suspended for one match, adding extra weight to Nabi’s decision.
With the stakes higher than ever, Nabi’s decision could have a major impact on Chiefs’ title hopes.
