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Chiefs could be under-strength against Siwelele

football20 October 2025 13:50| © Backpage TXT
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Khalil Ben Youssef © Backpagepix

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has expressed concern that his team could be weakened for the visit of Siwelele to the FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Current form:

The Glamour Boys were held to a 0-0 draw by AS Simba in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second-round tie in Lubumbashi on Saturday amid suspected food poisoning in their ranks.

Youssef was unsure if five of his players could even feature against the Congolese outfit and the quintet will continue to be monitored in the lead-up to the Betway Premiership clash in midweek.

Amakhosi will be determined to get back on the winning trail after a 1-1 draw against AmaZulu on 1 October extended their winless run to three games.

Youssef is still searching for his first victory since being handed the reins alongside Cedric Kaze in the wake of Nasreddine Nabi's departure earlier this month.

Chiefs are in a five-way tie with Orlando Pirates (3rd), Durban City (4th), Polokwane City (5th) and AmaZulu (6th) on 15 points.

Siwelele have found the going tough in the top flight after purchasing SuperSport United in the off-season, winning just two of their opening nine matches.

However, their cause hasn't been helped by having to travel from Pretoria to Bloemfontein for their home fixtures which are held at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

Lehlohonolo Seema's side are languishing in 14th position, one point clear of the danger zone, although they did manage to climb off the foot of the table after beating Marumo Gallants 1-0 on 28 September.

WHAT WAS SAID

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef

"I have to say congratulations to the players. We have five players who may wake up with diarrhea and vomiting tomorrow.

"I don't know what happened with the food yesterday, but we were in a critical situation in the morning. With five of them, we weren't sure that they could play."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kaizer Chiefs - Mduduzi Shabalala has struggled to build on his impressive showing last season which saw him score four goals in his first nine games.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder finally broke his duck in 2025-26 with a fine finish against Usuthu when he curled the ball into the top-right corner of the net from an angle on the left and he'll be keen to build on that in the fixtures to come.

Siwelele - Chibuike Ohizu has yet to get off the mark for his new club in seven appearances, but he should have bagged a brace against Gallants.

The 29-year-old striker failed to hit the target with a free header at the back post after just four minutes and he was unable to beat Washington Arubi one-on-one in the 69th minute.

He did trouble the opposition defence with his late runs though, and will be hoping to break his duck against Chiefs.

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