Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp says he won’t be resting players who are at risk of missing the Soweto derby due to cumulative yellow cards.
Right-back Reeve Frosler‚ centre-back Daniel Cardoso, and attacking midfielder Lebogang Manyama are all sitting on three yellow cards, which means if they are cautioned in the Nedbank Cup last-16 clash with Highlands Park on Saturday they will be suspended for the crucial Absa Premiership encounter with bitter rivals Orlando Pirates.
Despite the risk Middendorp insists he won’t be saving those players for Pirates as he intends to take the Nedbank Cup seriously.
“Reeve Frosler‚ Daniel Cardoso and Lebogang Manyama‚ they will all be on the field (against Highlands). They should behave. They should do their normal job. They are important,” he said, as quoted by Sowetan Live.
“Our next performance is the important one and that is on the 22nd of February against Highlands Park. Nothing else!”
As Chiefs’ set-piece taker Manyama is especially valuable, considering how many set-piece goals Amakhosi have scored this season, but Middendorp has faith in his backup options should he be carded again.
He added: “George Maluleka‚ Bernard Parker‚ Reeve Frosler can do the execution.”