Kaizer Chiefs Dealt Huge Blow As Fernando da Cruz Gave Unwanted Update After Mamelodi Sundowns’ Draw
- Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz confirmed the club's left-back department has been hit by a wave of injuries
- Reeve Frosler and Kabelo Nkgwesa are the latest to join an already stretched injury list that began before the season kicked off
- The Soweto-based club face Richards Bay in a Premier Soccer League fixture on Wednesday, 26 August, 2026
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Kaizer Chiefs are navigating a serious injury crisis in their defensive unit, with coach Fernando Da Cruz confirming that every recognised left-back at the club is currently sidelined ahead of their Premier Soccer League encounter against Richards Bay on Wednesday, 26 August.
The setbacks began before a ball was even kicked this season, with Bradley Cross and Paseka Mako both picking up injuries during pre-season. Cross had featured for Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where South Africa reached the Round of 32. The two players joined Nkanyisa Shinga on the injury list — Shinga had already spent a significant portion of the previous campaign in the medical room after managing only a handful of appearances.
Da Cruz Addresses the Injury Blow
With so many specialists unavailable, the club turned to Reeve Frosler as a makeshift solution at left-back across three competitive outings this season. However, Frosler has since suffered an injury of his own, and youngster Kabelo Nkgwesa has also been ruled out, leaving Da Cruz without a natural option in the position.
"Our left-backs are all injured. Between the match against Sekhukhune on Wednesday and [Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday], we lost Reeve and Kabelo," the coach said at a press conference.
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Chiefs' Mixed Start to the Season
Despite the personnel challenges, the Soweto giants have produced a mixed set of results across their opening four competitive fixtures. They opened the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kruger United before suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Golden Eagles in the MTN8 quarter-final.
Chiefs bounced back with a 2-0 league win over Sekhukhune United, then drew 1-1 with Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend at the FNB Stadium. The upcoming fixture against Richards Bay will test how Da Cruz reorganises his backline in the absence of all available left-back options.
Source: Briefly News
