Kaizer Chiefs coach bemoans injuries ahead of crunch Zamalek tie | OneFootball

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Chiefs coach laments injuries ahead of Zamalek clash

Photo: Phillip Maeta/ Gallo Images

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has bemoaned injuries ahead of their crucial CAF Confederation Cup clash against Zamalek SC at the Suez Canal Stadium on Saturday.

The Soweto giants head into the Group D finale sitting at the summit with 10 points, while the Egyptian heavyweights trail with eight points - one more than fellow Egyptians Al Masry SC.

While Chiefs only need a point to secure passage to the knockout stages, Ben Youssef is concerned about the lack of options at the heart of defence, amid injuries to key figures.

Notably, the influential Zitha Kwinika and Given Msimango, who recently returned from a lengthy injury lay off, are the only centre-backs available for selection.

“Given has come back after six months out of contention, so we are taking a big risk with him to play 90 minutes before three days. He played 90 minutes [last weekend vs Al Masry] and he must play the next game 90 minutes,” Ben Youssef said.

"We are taking a big risk because we don't have centre-backs - we don't have any solution. We tried to do our best with our fitness coach, with our doctor, to manage the load but finally travelling, coming back, playing games - it's crazy.

Ben Youssef went on to address the team's persistent lack of cutting edge in front of goals, suggesting that more work has to be done in training to improve the conversion rate.

“We have to continue to work, we have to continue to with our analysts to see again the different situations. The only solution that can allow for us to score our own opportunities is to continue to work in the training session,” he added.