Coach of Premier Soccer League title chasing side, Kaizer Chiefs, Ernst Middendorp has expressed fears over the fitness and availability of defenders Eric Mathoho and Kgstso Moleko for the league decider against relegation threatened Baroka FC.
Both players did not play the full 90mins in their last game against Chippa United which Chiefs won 1-0. Mathoho left the pitch injured with 15 minutes left to play, while Moleko was out 10 minutes earlier.
“There are some question marks. Moleko is definitely a big question mark. With Eric Mathoho‚ we have to look at how far he will be recovered‚” said Middendorp.
“Khama [Billiat] worked his arse off providing metres in terms of working for the team. That cost a lot of energy too. But at the moment it’s three days to go. We have around 60‚ 65 hours’ time starting tomorrow [Thursday] morning preparing the team‚ refreshing the team.
“And we will see. It’s a little bit early to say‚ ‘this player and this player are not available’. Important for us is that we didn’t pick up any yellow cards. There will be no suspensions.”
Middendorp said he had to make a cautious substitution against Chippa United to preserve the energy of Lebogang Manyama.
“And, for example, Lebogang Manyama played 60‚ 65 minutes,” Middendorp said.
“We had to take him out. It was a very clear order from the medical staff not to go into a risk and he gets re-injured and we cannot use him on the weekend. So no yellow cards. I hope each and everybody will be available‚ refreshing with a view to Saturday’s game.”
With Leonardo Castro and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi out injured, Chiefs will be hoping that there will be no more injury and fitness concerns ahead of their final day showdown against Baroka.