– Cape Town Saturday’s anticipated Dstv Premiership game between Kaizer Chiefs and high-flying AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium could be bolstered by a trio of positive developments.
AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns are currently tied for second place in the Premiership, one point behind early-season leaders Orlando Pirates.
The Usuthu are also in the MTN8 semi-finals after defeating Cape Town City last weekend; strangely, they will meet the Amakhosi in this round.
But Chiefs will be buoyed by their own penalty shootout triumph over Stellenbosch FC in the quarterfinals of the MTN8, and will also welcome back crucial midfielder Yusuf Maart.
Since signing from Sekhukhune United, the Bafana Bafana star has made an immediate impression at Naturena and was instrumental in Chiefs’ dramatic 3-0 home victory over Maritzburg United at the beginning of the month.
Maart, however, was shown a red card while attempting to prevent a goal against Richards Bay and was consequently suspended for the loss to Cape Town City and the Stellies MTN8 match.
In his absence, coach Arthur Zwane utilized Siyethemeba Sithebe and Phathutshedzo Nange in the middle of the field for both games.
Maart’s value to Chiefs is such that he traveled to both games in Cape Town despite not being available for selection, and he will likely return to the starting lineup this weekend.
This weekend, Chiefs will also hope to have Mozambican international Emilson Dove and new Burundian striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana available for selection.
Both players were announced two weeks ago, but the Amakhosi are still waiting on their separate work permits, while Dove’s paperwork appears to be in order.
Dove played previously for Cape Town City before returning to his own nation last season. After the PSL’s all-time record scorer joined TSL Galaxy this season, he was given former Amakhosi great Bernard Parker’s No. 25 shirt.
@ZaahierAdams