Kaizer Chiefs will be without captain Yusuf Maart during their Nedbank Cup Round of 16 match against Chippa United on Saturday.
Chiefs will go in search of a quarter-final ticket in the competition, which offers them their only chance for silverware, but will have to do without the midfielder, who has played a vital role for them so far this season.
Maart will be serving a one-match suspension during the match with his absence likely to alter coach Nasreddine Nabi’s plans.
Nabi had paired Maart with new signing Thabo Cele in their last match, a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch FC last Friday, and the partnership was impressive, but the tactician will now likely call on Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa or Njabulo Blom in central midfield on Saturday.
When did Chiefs & Chippa last play?
Maart provides balance to the Chiefs midfield while acting as the link between defence and attack and has so far weighed in with one goal and three assists in 20 matches across all competitions.
Chiefs and Chippa have already faced off this season, when Amakhosi secured a 1-0 league win on December 29, a loss that proved to be the last match for coach Kwanele Kopo.
Meanwhile, Chippa will also be without Sirgio Kammies, who is suspended for the clash set to take place at the FNB Stadium.
Chiefs started their Nedbank Cup on a high when they thrashed lower league side Free Agents 4-0 in the Round of 32 and will be hoping to secure back-to-back wins when they take on the Chilli Boys.
