Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 7y

Chiefs face defensive worries ahead of season's end

Kaizer Chiefs will likely be without three defenders for Saturday's final Absa Premiership match of the season at home to newly-crowned champions Bidvest Wits.

Centreback Mulomowandau Mathoho (concussion), leftback Sibusiso Khumalo (knee) and out-of-favour defender Siyanda Xulu (groin) have all been ruled out, leaving coach Steve Komphela thin at the back.

Mathoho should at least return for South Africa's opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away in Nigeria on the weekend of June 9-11 if selected by new coach Stuart Baxter, who knows him well from his three years as Chiefs' coach.

Mathoho clashed heads with Platinum Stars striker Bongi Ntuli in his side's 2-0 loss to Dikwena last Wednesday and was replaced 10 minutes into the second period.

It is likely that Daniel Cardoso will now partner Lorenzo Gordinho in the heart of the Chiefs defence on Saturday, with Ramahlwe Mphahlele at rightback and Tsepo Masilela on the left.

That provides for little centreback cover, though Mphahlele could be moved into the middle if needs be.

While there is little materially resting on Saturday's clash with Wits, Chiefs coach Komphela will be desperate to go into the close-season with a win under his belt against the new league champions.

Chiefs have won none of their previous six games and another defeat will cast the spotlight fully on Komphela and his future as the club passes through two full seasons without silverware, a rarity in their illustrious 47-year history.

While they are guaranteed to finish at least fifth, unless they can overhaul SuperSport United on the last day of the season, they end in the same position as the 2015/16 campaign, a further sign of their stagnation.

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