Smiso Msomi|Published
Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard has explained the thinking behind the team’s selection after Amakhosi were held to another draw in the Betway Premiership.
The Glamour Boys dropped points for the third consecutive game after playing to a draw against Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening. The result was their fifth stalemate of the 2026/27 campaign.
Despite remaining unbeaten in the league this season, Chiefs’ 5-2-3 formation has come under scrutiny in recent matches, with the team’s tactical approach and repeated draws raising questions about their ability to turn promising performances into victories.
Chiefs went into the encounter without several key players, with midfielders Lebohang Maboe, Adolf Mtasingwa and Siphesihle Ndlovu all sidelined by injuries. Attacker Langelihle Phili and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen also remain unavailable after picking up injuries before the recent international break.
The absentees forced Chiefs to reshuffle their line-up, with Reeve Frosler deployed in midfield alongside Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
Sheppard defended the decision, pointing to Frosler’s experience in the role and the limited options available because of injuries.
“With Reeve Frosler, why would you say he’s a defender?” Sheppard asked during his post-match press conference.
“The reason with the line-up, obviously with the injuries that we’ve had, young Thulani [Mabaso] has just come back from injury.
“To throw him into a game where we’ve just come back from a FIFA break, I think it would’ve been unfair on him.
“So, we had to find alternatives. In pre-season, we worked with Reeve in the midfield and like I said he’s played that position before.
“With the three weeks we had, we’ve prepared with him. He did really, really well. So, that was the reason behind him.”
The Chiefs assistant coach indicated that the decision was not an experiment made on the day, with Frosler having worked in midfield during pre-season and throughout the preparation period for the Stellenbosch match.
Amakhosi will now turn their attention to continental competition, travelling to Zambia to face Red Arrows in the first leg of their second qualifying-round tie in the 2026–27 CAF Confederation Cup.
The trip offers Chiefs an opportunity to shift focus from their domestic frustrations and build momentum in their pursuit of a place in the competition’s group stages.
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