Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs defender Sifiso Hlanti has been ruled out of this weekend’s Soweto derby after suffering an injury
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter confirmed during the Soweto Derby press conference on Thursday where he said the left-back tore his Achilles tendon.
That means Hlanti, one of the better-established defenders at Chiefs, who are still trying to establish their best defensive unit.
Hlanti’s injury will also be a huge blow for the national team. Hlanti was called up for the two 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe on 11 November and Ghana three days later.
Baxter said Hlanti’s injury sounded like a gunshot when it happened, something that serves as an indicator of the gravity of the injury.
“It looks like a total rupture,” Baxter said
“It sounded like a gunshot and guys who were standing 10m away heard it.”
Baxter still has Austin Dube, Sibusiso Mabiliso, and Happy Mashiane to fall back on at left-back, so it’s not a big issue for him.
However, he still has a lengthy casualty list, but one that’s close to playing than being on the mend.
Baxter said while their absence has allowed for the squad to grow, he said the player’s contributions are missed in the team.
“We have Leonardo Castro who is back in training and we also have Dumisani Zuma also who is also back in training,” Baxter said.
Zuma,meanwhile was caught on the wrong side of the law this week.
He was nabbed by police during a roadblock in Sandton for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Police spokesperson Kay Makhubele confirmed the arrest.
“He was driving a Mini Cooper on being arrested. He was then taken to the nearest police station where he was charged. Makhubele said:He was arrested by JMPD in the early hours of Wednesday at about 1am. He was later released on R1 000 bail.