Kaizer Chiefs face a must-win match against Sekhukhune United in the PSL on Saturday but will have to do it without two of their key players.
Chiefs are in ninth position in the league with 30 points and still in with a chance of finishing in the top eight, if they can win both of them, but they are tough games against Sekhukhune and Polokwane City.
The Glamour Boys may have won the Nedbank Cup to end their 10-year wait for a trophy last weekend but they have been so poor in the league where they are yet to win any of their last seven matches.
Chiefs dup to miss Sekhukhune clash
It had increased pressure on coach Nasreddine Nabi before the Nedbank Cup win eased it off somewhat but it will ramp up again if they cannot secure a top eight finish for the second straight season.
Adding onto Nabi’s headache is that he will be without defenders Bradley Cross and Miguel Inacio for their next match against Sekhukhune with both players suspended.
Cross received a red card in the final minutes of Chiefs’ Soweto Derby loss to Orlando Pirates two weeks ago, ruling him out of the Nedbank Cup final and he will also be absent on Saturday.
How will Nabi cope without the two?
Meanwhile, Inacio received his fourth yellow card during the cup final, which rules him out of the league match, further making life difficult for Nabi.
The two have been key components of the Chiefs defence so far this season and their absence will be greatly felt.
Nabi will now have to shuffle his pack at the back with Edmilson Dove and Zitha Kwinika likely to play in central defence against Babina Noko, who are looking for a win to firm up third place, and a seal CAF Confederation Cup qualification.
