Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs have given an update on the recovery of Lebogang Manyama and three of his teammates.
Speaking to the media following Chiefs’ impressive mid-week victory over Baroka FC, coach Stuart Baxter confirmed the injured quartet would remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.
“With regards, to Lebogang Manyama, Leonardo Castro, Dumisani Zuma and Siyabonga Ngezana, they are quite far away from full fitness,” Baxter said.
“When they get back to full fitness, there will be quite a lot of competition for places. When the squad is fully assembled, the boys that are new have got a good idea of how to behave at Kaizer Chiefs and what sort of football we play.
“When the injured players get back to full fitness, when the lads who have been going for a while get a rest and when we can gel all that together and have a clear way of playing, then at that point we can see. That’s a bit down the road.”
Manyama has returned to light training with the team but is not yet fit enough to feature while Zuma and Castro are expected to return to action towards the end of September and November, respectively.
Meanwhile Kaizer Chiefs’ sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr. has not ruled the possibility that would force the Premier Soccer League side to add more players before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
“The key is to get the best from the players you already have, and if there’s a need, you reinforce,” Motaung said. “If the need arises, yes, that can happen [a new signing before the deadline]. But the guys who are here already are working hard, putting their hands up to fight for positions. Everyone must get a fair chance.”
Amakhosi have signed Keagan Dolly, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Cole Alexander, Sfiso Hlanti, Phathutshedzo Nange, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Austin Dube, Brandon Peterson, and Njabulo Ngcobo, but the Motaung Jnr. has stressed more will be added only if a need arises.
“I have been in the players’ shoes, so I understand their needs. We should be a player-focused industry because they are the ones who go out on the field to perform. That’s one thing I’ve learnt from the chairman [Kaizer Motaung snr].