Arthur Zwane: Injuries won’t decide players futures at Kaizer Chiefs

This is according to coach Arthur Zwane when asked about players whose contracts are coming to an end while out injured – chief among them being senior statesmen Khama Billiat, Itumeleng Khune, Mulomowandou Mathoho, and Cole Alexander.

However, Zwane insists their project for the 2023/24 season will dictate who stays and who goes at the end of the current campaign.

"As a club, we have a plan, and that plan we've been working [on] with all these players. We know they've been contributing very well and, unfortunately, injuries are injuries," said Zwane.

"Also, injuries don't mean that they are no longer part of the team. We'll wait until the end of the season and discuss individuals that we think we can move on with, going into [the rest of] this project because that's very key.

"So, [those decisions] won't be defined by their injuries right now, it will be about what they can give the team going forward."

The project he speaks of has been one of many challenges, as witnessed in their inconsistency this season, but Zwane is more forgiving in the early phase of this new era for the club.

"We never stopped working hard. We have assembled a very good group of players that are willing to learn, very eager to succeed, you understand what I'm saying," he added.

"And it's only a phase. You know, when you are in a build-up phase, you'll get things right step-by-step. It's not possible that when you build a house, today you will lay the foundation and tomorrow you are already laying the first brick and then the roof, and all that.

"Then, let me tell you, you're going to have a lot of cracks in that house. So, what I'm trying to say is that when we're trying to fix the defence then we miss chances; when we fix and start scoring goals, then... 

"And having injuries and other challenges did not help our consistency, but at least right now, even though we still have challenges, what's good is that we are managing to grind out results."