Kaizer Chiefs news & rumours: Maboe, Baartman, Mendes

Today’s Kaizer Chiefs news and rumours revolve around Luke Baartman, a mystery around Lebohang Maboe and an old player’s regrets.

Baartman injured for the South Africa U23s

Exciting young attacker Luke Baartman is a serious doubt for Chiefs’ next Betway Premiership match after suffering a thigh injury for South Africa’s U23 side against Algeria in a 1-1 draw. Versatile 20-year-old Baartman has been an ever-present for Chiefs this term, appearing in all seven league outings. Chiefs face bogey team Stellenbosch next. Stellies have won the last three meetings between the sides, and they’ll do battle again on Tuesday, 13 October at 19:30.

Where is Lebo Maboe?

Lebohang Maboe has been in stellar form for Kaizer Chiefs this season. The midfield playmaker has weighed in with two goals and two assists in the Betway Premiership this term, form that earned him a call-up to the Bafana squad to face Eritrea and Guinea. The 32-year-old was set to feature against Guinea but pulled up with an injury in Chiefs’ 0-0 draw with Golden Arrows before the international break. Maboe also missed a penalty in that encounter, so it wasn’t his finest moment. Now, there’s no certainty as to how long that thigh issue will keep him out of action.

It’s Festival time

21-year-old Kabelo Linda Nkgwesa is the real deal, and that’s a belief held by several Chiefs fans on the internet. Nicknamed Festival, the versatile defender always draws praise and enthusiasm from supporters in the comments sections on socials. The youngster has spent large chunks of this season injured, but a comeback could be imminent. Meanwhile, 18-year-old midfield prodigy Steven Mendes is on the verge of a senior call-up.

Mabaso admits complacency while with Chiefs

40-year-old Xolani ‘Touch’ Mabaso has revealed that a level of complacency slipped into his game when he was surrounded by big names at the club, admitting that a lack of maturity undermined his stint with the Naturena giants. He has been without a club since 2018 when he left Mbombela United. Via SoccerLaduma:

“I would like to believe so, that there was that element of lacking here and there at times. As footballers, sometimes we can be ignorant. Chiefs had the cream of the crop in their team at the time, and just by being part of the group, I expected things to just happen for me,” Mabaso added.

Will Amakhosi get back to winning ways when they meet Stellies? Click the red comments banner below and have your say 🙂