Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has revealed injury setbacks for Etiosa Ighodaro and Lebohang Maboe ahead of their clash against Sekhukhune United. Nabi also hinted at further squad changes before the transfer window closes next week.
Injury Concerns for Key Players
Ighodaro and Maboe are currently sidelined due to injuries, leaving Nabi with selection headaches. The Glamour Boys have been busy in the transfer window, bringing in 11 new players to strengthen their squad. However, some of these signings are yet to make their debut for the Soweto giants.
New Signings Eager for Game Time
Ethan Chislett, Nkanyisa Shinga, Luke Baartman, Asanele Velebayi, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Flavio Silva are all pushing for game time, hoping to emulate the impact of Paseko Mako and Thabiso Monyane, who have impressed since joining the club.
Nabi Cautious About Integrating New Players
Nabi emphasised the need for caution when integrating new players into the squad. "We have to be very careful in incorporating the new players because we didn’t recruit them to rush them," he stated. "We recruited many players, young players also, because we were looking to the future of the club."
He added that some players arrived without proper pre-season preparation or were recovering from injuries. Maboe, for example, recently underwent surgery, while Ighodaro is also nursing an injury.
Squad Size a Challenge
With a squad of almost 40 players, Nabi acknowledged the challenge of selecting the right team. He stressed the importance of careful player selection to ensure consistency throughout the season. Despite the challenges, Nabi is confident that the new signings will provide the team with the depth and quality needed to compete on all fronts.
The transfer window activity and injury updates suggest a dynamic period for Kaizer Chiefs as they aim to build a strong and competitive squad for the upcoming season.