Injury-ravaged Chiefs suffer Mashiane blow

Mashiane was ruled out for four weeks after an injury he suffered during Amakhosi’s hard- fought 3-0 Nedbank Cup win over ABC Motsepe League minnows The Magic FC in Port Elizabeth a fortnight ago.

He joins the likes of Itumeleng Khune, Joseph Molangoane and Lebogang Manyama, while Mulomowandau Mathoho, Lorenzo Gordinho and Ramahlwe Mphahlele have recently started training with the first team after lengthy spells out through injury.

Coach Ernst Middendorp has always tried to avoid speaking about the players he doesn’t currently have available, citing respect for those that are filling their places but the pressure is slowly being felt by the well-travelled German.

“Happy has been starting for us and has given us something different in our approach. But now he is out for four weeks,” lamented Middendorp after his side’s 1-1 draw against Polokwane City last weekend.

The result stalled Chiefs’ late charge at the Absa Premiership title and goalkeeping errors have cost the team dearly.

On Saturday, new recruit Daniel Akpeyi messed up what looked like a routine catch, to gift City an equaliser and cost the Glamour Boys two points.

Before that, Virgil Vries made blunders in both defeats against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City, costing the side six points. But for those dropped points Amakhosi would be second in the standings.

While Manyama, Molangoane and Mashiane will be missed, it is Khune’s absence that seems to be the most notable with the side failing to find a replacement who will command the respect of both his backline and the opposing strikers.

Middendorp will however have a week to work on his team and tactics before their next match, a Premiership match against the unpredictable Highlands Park at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

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