Massive blow for Chiefs as star set to be out until March

Kaizer Chiefs will have to do without the services of one of their key players in the second half of the season.

The Glamour Boys are chasing the Premier Soccer League – despite being regarded as the dark horses, the Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederation Cup where they are in the group phase.

Last season, former coach Nasreddine Nabi helped them win the Nedbank Cup, their first major title in a decade. Despite his sacking, co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have been given the mandate to steer the team and ensure they deliver.

However, Amakhosi might have to do without Sibongiseni Mthethwa who has been nursing a knee injury.

Why Mthethwa’s absence might be a blow to Chiefs

In the 2025/26 season, the 31-year-old has played 11 games for the club across all competitions. It explains why the unfortunate incident will affect, not only him, but the entire playing unit.

“You see, now he has done an operation. He did it in December. You remember the time when Chiefs were not playing? He did a knee operation,” Soccer Laduma reported after the defensive midfielder failed to report for training following the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.

“He is not even training with the team right now. It’s an old injury. And you see it has happened at the wrong time because his contract with Chiefs is coming to an end this year. What is he going to do? Now it’s obvious Chiefs can only renew it with one year and if he doesn’t play they can as well not renew it. Then what will he say? He did an operation.

“Then maybe return to full fitness in March. The contract is coming to an end in June, and we are going to the World Cup. I have seen people saying almost every player at Chiefs is back at training except Ox. It’s because he did the operation,” they concluded.

Chiefs will resume their domestic duties with a home Premier Soccer League assignment on Tuesday, January 20, against Golden Arrows.