Cedric Kaze hints at potential Kaizer Chiefs debuts

Chiefs return to domestic action on Wednesday when they face Siwelele FC at FNB Stadium, with former Cape Town Spurs duo Asanele Velebhayi and Luke Baartman available for selection after their protracted legal battle with their ex-club. 

Kaze revealed that Etiosa Ighodaro and Lebohang Maboe are also among the new players who could make their debuts for the club.

"There are players that have returned to the field – Ighodaro has been training for the last 10 days, [Thabiso] Monyane came back three days ago, [Nkanyiso] Shinga has also been training for the last 10 days," said Kaze.

"Velebayi is training, Baartman is back from the World Cup with [Mfundo] Vilakazi, and those are the players that we [are assessing], but Monyane might be a little bit short on his fitness to come back this week. Otherwise the other are available for selection."

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Meanwhile, Kaze also vowed to continue to rally behind under-fire striker Ashey Du Preez, who received major backlash for missing a sitter against DR Congo side AS Simba in their CAF Confederation Cup 2nd preliminary round 1st leg in Lubumbashi on Saturday.

"I won't say it's normal, but it happens in football. It's like an accident, which happens in football, and he was devastated after the game that he missed the opportunity that could have sealed a win for us at the last minute," he added.

"But as coaches and as a club, along with his teammates, we are here to support him and show him that even in bad moments, we are here to support.

"It's easy to throw ropes at someone that hasn't done well, but remember Ashley has helped us a lot in previous games – I remember the last-minute goal against Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final last season, which took us to the final and ultimately the trophy.

"But the biggest thing is to show him our support and I'm pretty sure that he's a guy with a very strong mentality and he will bounce back very quickly."