Zwane opens up on Sithebe absence

Zwane opens up on Sithebe absence

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has opened up on the change which has seen midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe drop to the bench, while Khama Billiat could make a return this weekend.

Zwane explained that Njabulo Blom has now been tasked with sitting just in front of the defence to allow Yusuf Maart more freedom to move higher up, which has left Sithebe as the victim of these changes - sitting out of their previous two encounters.

"I think the strategy is more or less the same, it's just a change of personnel. There are those who obviously grasp the tactics quicker and those who take some time in terms of responding," explained Zwane.

"So, at the moment, I think the guys in the middle are gelling and getting better, and there's no doubt Sithebe, in the first few games we played in the beginning of the season, added much-needed value.

"Unfortunately there are games where he ran out of steam, which we expected because there was a time when he was not playing football at all, so we're managing him. We believe in him and know that he's going to come back strongly.

"As for the rest of the other guys as well, I think they are doing well for the team right now and for themselves individually, which is good."

Zwane added that Chiefs will go into their DStv Premiership match against Chippa United on Saturday with a clean bill of health, barring captain Itumeleng Khune, who was substituted in the first half of their 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, while Khama Billiat could make a return from a knee injury.

"Khama will be monitored, we'll see if he's ready to play. Itu [Khune] is not going to be available for this week's game - hopefully, going forward, he'll get much better," Zwane added.

"If my memory serves me well, we're welcoming George [Matlou] back and Zitha [Kwinika] from suspension, and I think Happy [Mashiane] has been battling a little bit but he started training [on Tuesday] so we're also managing him.

"So, I think at the moment we have a clean bill of health, we're just hoping that we'll keep it this way."

By Velile Mnyandu