Paez adds to Chiefs’ woes with ankle injury
Sibongiseni Gumbi
Someone just doesn’t like Kaizer Chiefs because when the Naturena-based team looked to be getting it right up front with striker Gustavo Paez finding his scoring touch, he is now out for a while with an ankle injury.
The Venezuelan-born striker is walking around in a moon boot after injuring his ankle during the ill-fated 2-0 defeat to Baroka FC in Durban two weeks ago. Amakhosi have announced that the 27-yearold will wear the boot for at least three weeks before he starts his rehabilitation, which might take another four to five weeks.
Steve Komphela is already thin up front as it is.
Amakhosi have two tough fixtures back-to-back next week starting with a crunch Absa Premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday and a derby against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates next weekend.
Already limping from the de- feat to Baroka which increased the calls for Komphela’s axing as fans had to be restrained as they wanted to let the mentor know what they think of him, a defeat to either or both the Brazilians and/or the Buccaneers could spell more trouble for the embattled coach.
Komphela will have to rely on veteran but tiring goal poacher Bernard Parker who recently said he is fully committed to the course despite a lack of game time.
“Every time I play, I fight,” said Parker during a recent interview at Naturena. “I am a winner, I always want to win. You can even ask my team-mates, I’m one of the hardest-working players in the team. I don’t think anyone works harder than me in the team, in terms of always being in front of the warm-ups. Whether I’m playing or not, I’m always early and lead by example.”
Chiefs play Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday at 7.30pm and next Saturday at the FNB Stadium (3.30pm).