WEEKEND SPLASH
Smiso Msomi|Published
Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season is beginning to face its toughest test, with a growing injury list forcing the technical team to rethink its options at a crucial stage of the campaign.
The Glamour Boys have avoided defeat in their opening eight league matches, but three consecutive draws have slowed their momentum.
Their latest setback was a stalemate against Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, where the absence of several key players was evident in the reshuffled line-up.
Chiefs were without midfielders Lebohang Maboe, Adolf Mtasingwa and Siphesihle Ndlovu, while attacker Langelihle Phili and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen also remained sidelined.
The impact was particularly noticeable in midfield, where assistant coach Dillon Sheppard explained the decision to deploy Reeve Frosler alongside Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
Rather than risk recently recovered youngster Thulani Mabaso, Chiefs turned to Frosler, who had worked in the position during pre-season.
“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,” Sheppard said.
“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.”
Frosler helped create the equaliser for Mduduzi Shabalala after Sinoxolo Kwayiba had put Stellenbosch ahead, but the result left Chiefs with another missed opportunity to turn an unbeaten run into a more convincing points haul.
The selection debate has also brought renewed attention to Chiefs’ tactical approach. Their 5-2-3 system has come under scrutiny in recent matches, with questions about whether the team can consistently impose itself in midfield and provide enough attacking threat.
Sheppard has defended the flexibility of the formation, arguing that the system can become more attacking when the wing-backs push forward.
But injuries have complicated the task of finding the right balance, particularly when several midfield options are unavailable at once.
The timing is far from ideal. Chiefs are preparing for a demanding run of fixtures that includes continental competition and the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates on 31 October.
Amakhosi travel to Zambia to face Red Arrows in the first leg of their second qualifying-round tie in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.
The return leg will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 23 October.
The immediate priority will be navigating the two-legged tie without placing unnecessary pressure on players returning from injury. Beyond that, the technical team must find a way to keep the squad competitive across several competitions.
Chiefs’ unbeaten league record remains a positive, but it cannot disguise the need for more victories.
Their next challenge is to show that the squad has enough depth and tactical flexibility to maintain that record while converting draws into wins.
The injuries may not derail their season, but the coming weeks will reveal how well Amakhosi can cope when their preferred options are unavailable.