Kaizer Chiefs: Three players ruled out

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Kaizer Chiefs slipped to what was ultimately an expected loss against Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend, but it has left them dwelling down in eighth spot on the league table.

With not much separating Chiefs from the teams just behind them on the standings, Nasreddine Nabi’s side do face the very real threat of falling into the bottom half of the log.

It’s placed extra importance on Chiefs securing a comfortable win against relegation threatened Magesi FC at FNB stadium on Tuesday evening, before turning their attention to Saturday’s Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Stellenbosch FC.

Unfortunately for Chiefs, Nabi has confirmed that Tashreeq Morris will likely miss both these games due to injury, while Gaston Sirino is not available for Tuesday’s clash as he is still serving a two-match ban after his red card in the 4-1 loss to SuperSport United.

Thabo Cele is also suspended for Chiefs’ next game due to an accumulation of four yellow cards.

Commenting on Sirino, who has yet to really have the desired impact since joining the club, Nabi commented: “He’s out maybe six, seven days.

“I would say that it hurt us a lot because it’s a striker that can give you a lot of things. He’s a good presser. He doesn’t give a lot of rest to the defenders. But after, when he came off, we saw that even the centre-backs were a little bit comfortable with the ball all the time.

“He offers what a classic nine can give you, when you need you can play on him, he’s going to hold the ball, he’s going to give your team the time to go up to take positions to attack,

“And as well, he’s a player that, when you make all those crosses that were coming inside the box, he is someone who can finish it and who has a big presence, and it impacted a lot on the plan of the game today.”

Kaizer Chiefs need a change in fortunes

Here is what Nabi had to say after the latest defeat, with pressure certainly continuing to build on the coach.

“First of all congrats to Sundowns for the three points, I feel frustrated for my players, for the fans, for everyone supporting Kaizer Chiefs today,” – Nasreddine Nabi said as quoted by IDiski Times.

“If you compare the three game we played, the first game if it wasn’t for referee mistakes we don’t lose. The second match for the cup, it was a completely off day for us, we were outclassed in every way.

“We feel it was bad luck to lose today. After the performance, we have to put the three games in context, it’s a team that hasn’t won a cup in ten years and a team who has won seven league titles in a row and top of African football and the other team in the process of building itself.”