Kaizer Chiefs face a selection nightmare ahead of a crucial Mamelodi Sundowns clash.
Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is facing a major selection crisis ahead of their showdown against the league champions. Two of his key players, Miguel Inacio and Thabo Cele, are just one yellow card away from suspension—a scenario that could shake Amakhosi’s chances in the Betway Premiership title race.
Before Chiefs can focus on Sundowns, they must first navigate a tricky fixture against SuperSport United on Tuesday night at the FNB Stadium. The stakes are high, as a win would propel Amakhosi from sixth to fourth place in the standings. However, Inacio and Cele both sit on three yellow cards, meaning another caution would rule them out of the much-anticipated Sundowns clash.
Unexpected fixture disruption adds to Chiefs’ woes
Normally, a match against Royal AM would have provided a buffer before facing Sundowns. However, the ongoing tax troubles surrounding Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize have led to the indefinite postponement of their fixtures. As a result, Chiefs will head straight from the SuperSport game into battle against the league leaders, heightening the risk of losing key personnel at a critical moment.
Royal AM’s last competitive match was on December 29, 2024, when they suffered a 3-0 defeat to TS Galaxy. Since then, fixtures against Chippa United, Orlando Pirates, Milford United (Nedbank Cup), Marumo Gallants, and Stellenbosch FC have all been canceled. The club’s attempt to overturn this suspension in court was recently dismissed, further complicating the PSL schedule.
Nabi’s dilemma: Play or protect?
With Inacio and Cele walking a disciplinary tightrope, Nabi must decide whether to risk playing them against SuperSport or preserve them for the Sundowns clash. Cele has been a key figure in the last three matches, receiving cautions in each. His fourth appearance came as a substitute in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.
According to Article 54:1 of the NSL Handbook. “Any player who accumulates four cautions [yellow cards] for the first occasion in a season will be suspended from participation in the next one match to be played by his team in any competition.”
Nabi knows the stakes. Chiefs need maximum points to keep their season on track. But losing either Inacio or Cele against Sundowns could be costly. The decision he makes against SuperSport United could determine Amakhosi’s fate.
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