Chiefs’ left-back curse deepens with fresh injury blow
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Kaizer Chiefs left-back Kabelo Nkgwesa and defender Reeve Frosler. (Photo: Gallo Images)
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Chiefs’ left-back curse deepens with fresh injury blow
Aug 17, 2026 – 09:00 am
By Clifton Mabasa
Kaizer Chiefs’ left-back crisis has deepened, with a further two players ruled out through injury in Fernando Da Cruz’s squad.
The Glamour Boys have been forced to reshuffle at the position early in the season after first-choice Bradley Cross and Paseka Mako suffered injuries.
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Moreover, Nkanyiso Shinga has also been unavailable since joining the club last season, with injury keeping him on the sidelines.
With their options limited at left back, Da Cruz turned to versatile defender Reeve Frosler to fill the void at the start of the campaign.
Frosler featured in Amakhosi’s opening three matches, offering some much-needed cover on the left side of the defence.
However, the situation worsened ahead of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
Da Cruz revealed that Frosler had also joined the growing injury list, while promising youngster Kabelo Nkgwesa was ruled out as well.
“Our left-backs are all injured,” Da Cruz told the media after the hard-fought draw with Sundowns.
“Between the match against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday and today [Saturday], we lost Reeve and Kabelo.”
Nkgwesa, 19, made his senior debut against Sekhukhune and impressed, with his performance raising hopes that he could help ease the team’s problems at left-back.
The highly-rated defender, however, picked up an injury, leaving Da Cruz with even fewer options against the Brazilians.
The French coach was subsequently forced to deploy attacker Pule Mmodi as a left wing-back against the Tshwane giants.
The Soweto giants’ injury list extends beyond the left-back position, with striker Khanyisa Mayo also sidelined.
Development product Thulani Mabaso is nursing an injury, while Rushwin Dortley and Flavio Da Silva are also unavailable.
With Cross, Mako, Shinga, Frosler and Nkgwesa all out, Da Cruz now faces a major selection headache as Chiefs look to navigate the early stages of the campaign.