Nasreddine Nabi will face a selection headache ahead of their cup tie with Chippa United this weekend in a highly anticipated clash at FNB Stadium.
After a crucial 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC in the Betway Premiership last Friday, Amakhosi now shift their focus to the Nedbank Cup, where they will face the Chilli Boys in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 this weekend.
The Sowetan Giants will be without captain Yusuf Maart for their Nedbank Cup Round of 16 encounter with Chippa United as he is serving a one-match suspension. Maart has been a key player for Amakhosi this season, offering crucial balance in midfield and linking defense with attack. In 20 appearances across all competitions, he has contributed one goal and three assists.
Maart has accumulated four yellow cards this season, all of which have come in league matches. These bookings were issued during the encounters against Marumo Gallants, Magesi FC, Polokwane City FC, and most recently against Stellenbosch FC. With the midfield maestro suspended for the upcoming match, Chiefs will likely turn to defender Inacio Miguel to step in as captain.
His omission in the squad will certainly disrupt coach Nasreddine Nabi’s tactical plans. Now, Nabi faces a selection headache as Chiefs are well-equipped in midfield with capable players such as Thabo Cele, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Njabulo Blom, and Samkelo Zwane, all of whom can seamlessly fill the central midfield role. Each of these players brings their own strengths to the table, ensuring that the team maintains a solid midfield presence despite Maart’s suspension.
As they aim for a quarter-final spot in the competition, their only remaining chance for silverware, Chiefs will have to manage without Maart, who has been a pivotal figure this season. In the Round of 32, Chiefs took on Free Agents, a team from the second division, and triumphed with a commanding 4-0 win just over two weeks ago.
This will be the second meeting between Chiefs and Chippa this season, following their encounter in late December at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, where Amakhosi claimed a 1-0 victory. Kick off at the FNB Stadium is set for 18:00 on Saturday, 15 February 2025.