Head coach Cavin Johnson has named as many as six Kaizer Chiefs players set to miss out on a crucial DStv Premiership encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs will be aiming to keep their top four ambitions alive by collecting all three points at FNB Stadium come Thursday. Doing so will require them to achieve a feat no team has managed, to defeat rivals Sundowns.
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Ahead of that mammoth task, Johnson will also be forced to make do with a squad not at full strength as Chefs will be without as many six players confirmed to be out of contention for a starting-place.
Speaking to media ahead of the match, Johnson confirmed that Itumeleng Khune, Keegan Dolly, George Matlou, Tebogo Potsane were all out of action to flu and injuries, while Nkosingiphile Ngcobo is doubtful having recently returned to full training.
"We still have Itu out, we still have Keegan out; they all came back with a heavy flu,” Johnson told journalist.
"Potsane is still out, George is still out. Mshini (Nkosingiphile Ngcobo) started training but then he went back again a little bit, so we don’t know how far he is.
"That’s about it, but the rest of the team all look good.:
With Edmilson Dove serving a suspension for an accumulation of cards, Chiefs will also be sweating on the fitness of defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe.
"TT (Ditlhokwe) hasn’t played," Johnson added.
"He’s ready but he hasn’t played a game of 45 minutes or an hour as yet. So we might see him we might not see him but ja we know Dove is suspended because of four yellow cards. We'll see how we fix our defence structure up."
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Sundowns themselves will have some injury concerns of their own as key players like Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Maseko and Devine Lunga all missed The Brazilians league clash against TS Galaxy on Monday night due to various injuries.
A win against Chiefs will guarantee Sundowns their eighth consecutive league title and they may get their confirmation even before that should second-placed Stellenbosch lose to their match against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
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