Kaizer Chiefs will be without defender Thabiso Monyane for four weeks after the right-back suffered an injury during training on Monday.
Monyane has been an important part of Fernando da Cruz’s team this season, starting or featuring in all five matches played by Amakhosi so far. His absence leaves Chiefs with another selection issue as Da Cruz continues to search for a winning combination.
The 26-year-old is expected to return in October, meaning Sunday’s meeting with Siwelele FC will be the first match Chiefs play without him.
Da Cruz now has to decide how best to reorganise the right side of his defence. Dillan Solomons and Reeve Frosler are the most obvious options to come back into the right-back position, while the technical team could also consider using Zitha Kwinika, depending on the opposition.
Monyane’s injury adds to an already lengthy list of unavailable Chiefs players. Langelihle Phili, Ethan Chislett, Flavio Silva, Paseka Mako and Khanyisa Mayo are among those also sidelined.
The timing is particularly difficult for Chiefs because Da Cruz is still assessing his preferred line-up. Monyane had been involved in every match this season, and his enforced absence means the coach must make another adjustment before the game against Siwelele FC.
Monyane joined Chiefs from arch-rivals Orlando Pirates last season. Since making the move, he has played in 29 competitive matches for Amakhosi, underlining his importance to the squad.
The upcoming fixture will therefore provide an early test of Chiefs’ defensive depth. Solomons and Frosler could be asked to step into a role Monyane has occupied throughout the opening five matches, while Kwinika remains an alternative if Da Cruz chooses to adapt his approach to the opponents.
Chiefs will hope the injury keeps Monyane out only for the expected four-week period, with his return currently projected for October. Until then, the club must manage another absence while trying to establish consistency under Da Cruz.
The latest setback follows a difficult period of squad management, with several players already unavailable and the technical team having to consider different combinations across the side.
Monyane’s spell on the sidelines means he will miss at least Sunday’s match against Siwelele FC and could be absent for further fixtures before he is expected to return.
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