How could the Kaizer Chiefs line up against Maritzburg? – The citizen

Amakhosi fans are certainly looking forward to seeing Gavin Hunt’s first starting eleven as the Kaizer Chiefs head coach when they face Maritzburg United in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Sunday.

READ MORE: Kaizer Chiefs duo suspended for MTN8 final

Hunt will be missing striker Lebogang Manyama and midfielder Willard Katsande on suspension, both seasoned players who will no doubt miss the day at FNB Stadium.

Still, Hunt has a squad full of internationals and a squad no doubt driven by what they call in the game a ‘new coach rebound’ that should see the Chiefs start the season in good spirits, under the wise hand of a man with a sack full of Premier Soccer League trophies in his more than 20 years as a coach in South Africa.

Here, Phakaaathi editor Jonty Mark takes a look at what Hunt’s starting eleven could look like for Sunday’s game.

Goalkeeper

Itumeleng Khune

Daniel Akpeyi was Ernst Middendorp’s first choice between poles last season, and he had an excellent season, until a concussion ruled him out of Amakhosi’s final games. Khune replaced him and while the former Bafana captain Bafana showed that he hasn’t lost that incredible spread, he was caught staring at the ball for Baroka’s tie that ultimately cost the Chiefs the title. However, I think Hunt will want to make a statement by restoring this fan favorite aside, and if Khune can achieve top form, there is no question that he is the Chiefs’ best goalkeeper, if not the best in the country.

Defenders

Reeve frosler

Frosler has previously worked with Gavin Hunt at Bidvest Wits, and his form is such that he is the favorite to start with the Chiefs on the right back ahead of Ramahlwe Mphahlele against United. The 22-year-old, who can also bombard in attack with good results, was impressive for Bafana Bafana against Zambia on Sunday and should have another chance for his club on Sunday.

Erick mathoho

Mathoho bounced back from a slump in form to return to something like his best under Ernst Middendorp last season, no doubt in the early part of the season when the Chiefs ran away from the rest at the top of the table. Hunt will undoubtedly need his experience and quality in Amakhosi’s last four this season.

Daniel Cardoso

Cardoso is another player who did well last season, and one can see little reason for Hunt to want to break his association with Mathoho at the heart of the Chiefs defense.

Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya

The left-back in Kaizer Chiefs is a problematic position right now, and this is clearly the reason why Sifiso Hlanti is training with the club, and he will be Amakhosi’s first choice in that position if the Chiefs transfer ban is lifted. . For now, though, Hunt will have to choose one of two young prospects, who practically split duty last season, in Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya and Yagan Sasman. There is also the option to play the more experienced Ramahlwe Mphahlele on the left back, but I think Hunt will go for Ntiya-Ntiya.

Midfielders

Kearyn Baccus

Baccus had a mixed first season at Chiefs, but he’s the kind of energetic midfielder Hunt should be excited about, and will certainly need against United in the absence of the sanctioned Willard Katsande.

Anthony Akumu

The Kenyan midfielder was hired by the Chiefs with great enthusiasm, but did not make an impact until the end of the 2019/20 season. “When the league resumed after the lockout, I started to have playing time, but it still wasn’t easy to adjust. I learned quickly and now I know what is expected of me, ”he told Kenya’s nation.africa website during the international break. I have adapted to his style of play and hope to pick up where I left off when the new season begins. We have started the preseason training and now I am completely settled in the team ”.

Siphelele Ntshangase

Ernst Middendorp was clearly not a fan of Ntshangase, at one point he did himself no favors by publicly criticizing the player last season. However, Hunt is believed to be a key reason why Ntshangase stayed with the team for the 2020/21 campaign, and he is likely to give this fickle talent more opportunities next season.

Strikers

Dumisani Zuma

Zuma was more of an impact player for Middendorp at Chiefs, starting just two games in 24 league appearances. However, he looked powerful most of the time when playing and with Manyama absent, it could be that Hunt decides to use Zuma for his speed and creativity against United.

Samir Nurkovic

Having turned down Al Ahly’s interest, at least until now, Nurkovic will surely start against United, and the Serbian will look to pick up where he left off last season, where he led Amakhosi’s front row with poise, garnering plenty of assists as well as goals.

Khama billiat

Khama Billiat came into the party with a pair of goals right at the end of the 2019/20 season, but overall failed to thrive on Ernst Middendorp Chiefs’ squad last season, sporting a pale shadow of the player who was so good for Mamelodi. Sundowns. If Hunt can bring the Zimbabwean master back to his best, then rival defenses will be shaking in their boots this season, and Amakhosi will have every chance of winning the title.

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