Da Cruz drops Leaner and Vilakazi in bold gamble as Chiefs chase Confed Cup lifeline
Fernando Da Cruz has ripped up his team sheet, and Kaizer Chiefs’ Confederation Cup survival now rests on a very different XI.
Amakhosi host Zambia’s Red Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday at 6pm, trailing 1-0 from the first leg. The equation is simple: a clean win, without conceding, sends Chiefs into the group stage.
To get there, Da Cruz has made some big calls. Goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, who was at the centre of the viral argument with Reeve Frosler after the first leg, has been dropped.
Club veteran Bruce Bvuma takes his place between the sticks, a decision that will have tongues wagging.
The coach has reverted to a 4-3-3, with Sibongiseni “Ox” Mthethwa anchoring a midfield completed by Thulani “Touch” Mabaso and Pule Mmodi.
Up front, Mfundo Vilakazi has been rested and starts among the substitutes. Faiz Abrahams gets the nod, joining Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba in a three-pronged attack that has plenty to prove after Chiefs failed to create chances in Ndola.
The stakes could hardly be higher. A group stage place would bring some much-needed confidence, but defeat would pile enormous pressure on Da Cruz, whom some among the Amakhosi faithful have already started to doubt seriously.
Chiefs XI: Bvuma; Cross, Frosler, Miguel, Moloisane; Mabaso, Mmodi, Mthethwa; Abrahams, Shabalala, Duba
Subs: Petersen, Kwinika, Dortley, Ngkwesa, Maboe, Velebayi, Chislett, Vilakazi, Ighodaro
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