Solinas likely to rotate Chiefs squad for trip to Zanzibar
GIOVANNI SOLINAS is set to continue with his rotation policy as Kaizer Chiefs gear up to face Zimamoto in the second leg of the Caf Confederation Cup today.
Amakhosi are in pole position to advance to the first round of the Confederation Cup.
Last week they trounced Zimamoto 4-0 in the first leg of their preliminary round fixture.
Khama Billiat was menacing netting a hat-trick to hand Amakhosi a comfortable advantage. Kabelo Mahlasela put the icing on the cake for Chiefs. Solinas made wholesale changes in that encounter utilising the likes of Siphosethu Ntiyantiya, Aro Andrianarimanana, Mahlasela, Eric Mathoho, Teenage Hadebe and Virgil Vries. The Italian rested Itumeleng Khune, Godfrey Walusimbi and Dumsani Zuma.
Chiefs supporters can expect more changes today when Amakhosi visit Zanzibar.
“Yes, we will make changes because we played three games in seven days. In seven days we travelled from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth and from Port Elizabeth to Durban. Now we will travel back to Johannesburg and from Johannesburg to Zanzibar,” a moroseness Solinas said talking with the media on Saturday at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
Chiefs suffered another setback in their pursuit to challenge for PSL honours this past weekend. They succumbed to their fourth defeat in the league this season at the expense of Golden Arrows. They are now five points behind the leaders, Orlando Pirates.
“It is not only about the game, but it is about the travelling. We need rotation because we need fresh legs. It is not possible to play the same players in such a short space of time,” Solinas said.
Solinas is likely to rest the likes of Billiat, Leonardo Castro and Willard Katsande. The trio have featured regularly for Amakhosi despite Solinas’ rotation policy. The Italian has built the spine of his team around these players.
Billiat has appeared 20 times for Chiefs across all the competitions. On top of that Billiat has been colossal for Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Katsande has also played an identical number of games to Billiat while Castro has been on the field of play for 16 games in all the competitions.
Amakhosi are likely to be without the services of Ramahlwe Mphahlele in today’s encounter. He was came off injured against Abafana Bes’thende.
“I don’t know about Rama’s situation because I’m yet to receive the medical report form the doctor. He said he twisted the knee. We hope nothing is serious.” Solinas concluded.
Daniel Cardoso is favourites to take over at right-back if Mphahlele can’t recover in time for today’s tussle. He replaced Mphahlele against Arrows and also started in the first leg against Zimamoto.