KAIZER Chiefs are crossing their fingers that key players Knowledge Musona and Siphiwe Tshabalala will be declared fit for Saturday's Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs general manager Bobby Motaung confirmed that Tshabalala started training with the team yesterday, while Musona is still under observation.
Tshabalala and Musona were replaced after they were injured in Sunday's 4-2 win against Free State Stars on penalties in the Telkom Knockout.
Musona is nursing a shoulder injury, while Tshabalala has a niggling muscle problem. Tshabalala was just returning from a two-week lay-off for the same injury.
"We are waiting for the MRI scan on the two players and we will be guided by the medical team in terms of their availability for the derby. We want them to play because they are part of our tried-and-tested team," said Motaung.
"Shabba [Tshabalala] has started training. We also have Kaizer Motaung junior still injured.
"The derby is a big game. It is one hell of a big stage and everybody wants to be available," Motaung said yesterday.
"We are playing with a team that has been doing well in the African Champions League, brushing aside all the big guns like TP Mazembe, Zamalek, Al Ahly and Esperance to reach the final of the tournament.
"Like all the other South Africans, as Chiefs we are all happy with Pirates' success in the African Champions League, but this is the Premier Soccer League and not a continental competition.
"We will show them Chiefs are the deserved reigning champions in South Africa," Motaung said.
"We want to win the derby and also intensify our challenge for a second consecutive league title.
"We promise the paying customers [the fans] that they will get their money's worth.
"There won't be a draw and they must expect an entertaining game with goals.
"Chiefs will definitely win," he said.
He added that Jimmy Jambo has started with light training after completing the rehabilitation process for his injury.
Zimbabwean international Jambo got injured after he was kicked by compatriot and former teammate Tinashe Nengomasha, the Bidvest Wits midfielder, in October last year.
Shabba and Musona in mad dash for derby
KAIZER Chiefs are crossing their fingers that key players Knowledge Musona and Siphiwe Tshabalala will be declared fit for Saturday's Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs general manager Bobby Motaung confirmed that Tshabalala started training with the team yesterday, while Musona is still under observation.
Tshabalala and Musona were replaced after they were injured in Sunday's 4-2 win against Free State Stars on penalties in the Telkom Knockout.
Musona is nursing a shoulder injury, while Tshabalala has a niggling muscle problem. Tshabalala was just returning from a two-week lay-off for the same injury.
"We are waiting for the MRI scan on the two players and we will be guided by the medical team in terms of their availability for the derby. We want them to play because they are part of our tried-and-tested team," said Motaung.
"Shabba [Tshabalala] has started training. We also have Kaizer Motaung junior still injured.
"The derby is a big game. It is one hell of a big stage and everybody wants to be available," Motaung said yesterday.
"We are playing with a team that has been doing well in the African Champions League, brushing aside all the big guns like TP Mazembe, Zamalek, Al Ahly and Esperance to reach the final of the tournament.
"Like all the other South Africans, as Chiefs we are all happy with Pirates' success in the African Champions League, but this is the Premier Soccer League and not a continental competition.
"We will show them Chiefs are the deserved reigning champions in South Africa," Motaung said.
"We want to win the derby and also intensify our challenge for a second consecutive league title.
"We promise the paying customers [the fans] that they will get their money's worth.
"There won't be a draw and they must expect an entertaining game with goals.
"Chiefs will definitely win," he said.
He added that Jimmy Jambo has started with light training after completing the rehabilitation process for his injury.
Zimbabwean international Jambo got injured after he was kicked by compatriot and former teammate Tinashe Nengomasha, the Bidvest Wits midfielder, in October last year.
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