Da Cruz Faces Chiefs Selection Headache After Latest Injuries
Fernando Da Cruz during the Betway Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs’ options at left-back have been stretched even further after Reeve Frosler and Kabelo Nkgwesa became the latest players to suffer injury setbacks, leaving Fernando Da Cruz with an increasingly difficult selection puzzle.
The position was already a concern for the Amakhosi coach heading into the new season, with natural left-backs Bradley Cross and Paseka Mako unavailable.
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Nkanyiso Shinga has also been sidelined since joining the club last season, further limiting Da Cruz’s choices.
With his preferred options unavailable, the French coach had already been forced to improvise by using Frosler on the left side of his defence.
The 28-year-old is naturally a right-back, but his versatility saw him deployed on the opposite flank in each of Chiefs’ opening three matches.
That emergency solution has now been taken away from Da Cruz as well.
Frosler picked up an injury between Wednesday’s match against Sekhukhune United and Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
At the same time, promising youngster Nkgwesa was also ruled out after making his senior debut against Sekhukhune.
Da Cruz confirmed the extent of the problem after Chiefs were held by Sundowns.
“Our left-backs are all injured. Between the match against Sekhukhune on Wednesday and today (Saturday), we lost Reeve and Kabelo,” the coach said, speaking to the media after the match.
Nkgwesa’s setback is another blow for Chiefs, particularly after the 19-year-old made an encouraging impression on his senior debut.
With the youngster unavailable for the Sundowns clash, Da Cruz was left with even fewer defensive options and had to make another tactical adjustment.
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This time, attacker Pule Mmodi was used as a left wing-back against the former league champions, highlighting just how thin Chiefs’ options have become on that side.
The injury problems also extend beyond the left-back position. Striker Khanyisa Mayo remains sidelined, while development product Thulani Mabaso, Rushwin Dortley and Flavio Da Silva are also unavailable.
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