How will Kaizer Chiefs line up for the biggest match in the club’s rich history when they play Al Ahly in Morocco in the final of the CAF Champions League tonight.
- Itumeleng Khune
For a game of this significance, Coach Stuart Baxter will go with experience.
This is a guy who was in goal when Bafana Bafana faced Mexico in the 2010 Fifa World Cup opener, a game in which the hosts were under a lot of pressure.
He possesses a big-game mentality and would be the ideal pick against Al Ahly, the nine-time winners.
- Reeve Frosler
Former coach Gavin Hunt frequently employed Frosler as a left-back, but with the arrival of Stuart Baxter, he was restored to the right-back position.
- Erick Mathoho
On Saturday, he will not only be tasked with defending but will also be able to move forward and try to head in past Mohamed El Shenawy on set-pieces, which are Amakhosi’s strongest suit.
- Daniel Cardoso
In 12 of Amakhosi’s 14 Champions League matches this season, the veteran defender has been a rock at the back.
- Siyabonga Ngezana
With Baxter’s return, Chiefs took a defensive strategy in the Champions League, playing with three center defenders.
After spending the most of the season as a right-back, Ngezana completes the line-up at the center of the defense.
- Yagan Sasman
After battling for playing time under Hunt, the 25-year-old has been re-instated into the squad by the new technical team.
The fact that he was trusted to start both legs of the semi-final against Wydad demonstrates the coaches’ confidence in him.
- Willard Katsande
Following Hunt’s departure, another player began to see some playing time.
His experience would also help him if he were chosen to start on Saturday.
- Bernard Parker
The 35-year-old is another player who brings in experience in Chiefs’ line-up after starting 12 times in this Champions League campaign.
- Khama Billiat
The Zimbabwean is back from injury and may have last played in April, but he is one of the players needed to cause difficulty for Al Ahly and open up scoring possibilities for Amakhosi.
He is no stranger to Egyptian opponents, having featured in both legs of Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2016 Champions League final against Zamalek.
- Leonardo Castro
In a game of this significance, Chiefs can count on the Colombian to rise to the occasion.
He has two goals in nine Champions League games for Chiefs this season and would like to improve on that record against Al Ahly.
- Samir Nurkovic
His goal secured Chiefs a spot in the final after he scored in the semi-final, a 1-0 first-leg win against Wydad Casablanca, followed by a 0-0 second-leg tie.
The team’s hopes are riding on the Serbian, who has three goals in eight Champions League outings this season.
https://thekosibay.co.za/1163/sport/football/psl/go-out-and-make-it-count-kaizer-motaung/
