Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs have named the squad ahead of their trip to Tanzania for their second leg CAF Champions League quarter-final tie against Simba SC.
Chiefs hold a 4-0 advantage heading into the return leg in Dar es Salaam this weekend after an exceptional display at FNB Stadium last Saturday.
“Amakhosi welcome back Itumeleng Khune from injury, who makes his way into the squad of 23 players coach Gavin Hunt will be taking along with him to Tanzania, along with Daniel Akpeyi and Bruce Bvuma who was in goal during Chiefs first-leg triumph over Simba,” a club statement read.
However, influential attacker Khama Billiat is missing from the traveling squad as he is yet to recover from an injury that he picked up in Chiefs’ 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in a PSL match last month.
Also missing from the traveling party is Dumisani Zuma after the 25-year-old attacker picked up an injury in the first-leg clash against Tanzanian champions Simba at FNB Stadium last weekend.
Eric Mathoho, Leonardo Castro and a Samir Nurkovic brace have put the Soweto giants in pole position to advance to the semi-finals of Africa’s elite club competition where they will meet MC Alger or Wydad Athletic Club.
Simba hold a record of 12 games unbeaten at home in the competition dating back to November 2018 but face an incredible task of having to score five unanswered goals to win or four in order to take the game to extra-time and a penalty shoot-out.
The Confederation of African Football has confirmed Burundian Pacifique Ndabihawenimana as the referee in part of an all East African officials line-up for the encounter.
Kaizer Chiefs 23-man squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Bruce Bvuma, Daniel Akpeyi, Itumeleng Khune
Defenders: Njabulo Blom, Reeve Frosler, Daniel Cardoso, Anthony Akumu Agay, Happy Mashiane, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Kgotso Moleko, Yagan Sasman, Siphosakhe Ntiya- Ntiya, Siyabonga Ngezana
Midfielders: Philani Zulu, Kearyn Baccus, Lebogang Manyama, Willard Katsande, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo
Forwards: Bernard Parker, Samir Nurković, Leonardo Castro, Lazalous Kambole
The clash between the Tanzanian giants and Amakhosi at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will kick off on Saturday afternoon at 15h00.