Fernando da Cruz Confirms 7 Kaizer Chiefs Players Are Ruled Out of Mamelodi Sundowns Clash
- Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz revealed a lengthy injury and fitness list ahead of Saturday's Betway Premiership match
- Seven named players are expected to miss the highly anticipated Sundowns fixture, with another player's availability still uncertain
- The FNB Stadium clash kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday, with around 32 000 tickets already sold by Thursday lunchtime
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Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has warned that the majority of players who sat out the club's previous fixture are set to miss Saturday's Betway Premiership encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
Da Cruz delivered the squad update at the pre-match press conference ahead of the high-profile fixture, citing insufficient recovery time as the primary reason players are unlikely to return to full fitness before kick-off.
Chiefs' injury list ahead of Sundowns clash
Seven players are expected to remain unavailable for selection: Ethan Chislett, Flavio Da Silva, Bradley Cross, Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga, Rushwin Dortley and Faiz Abrahams. Their absences are attributed to a combination of injuries and inadequate match fitness.
Da Cruz also revealed that the club's medical staff are monitoring an additional player whose readiness for the match has not yet been determined. A final call on that player's availability will be made following a fitness assessment closer to the game.
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The French coach indicated that the condensed fixture schedule has left little room for the affected players to recover, making it improbable that the squad's numbers will be significantly bolstered for the Sundowns tie.
FNB Stadium braces for big crowd
Despite the fitness concerns surrounding the hosts, public interest in the fixture has been considerable. Approximately 32 000 tickets had already been purchased by lunchtime on Thursday, signalling that a substantial crowd is expected when the two sides meet at 15:00 on Saturday.
The match represents one of South African football's most anticipated rivalries, with Mamelodi Sundowns arriving as one of the dominant forces in domestic football in recent seasons.
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Source: Briefly News
