One of Arthur Zwane’s trusted men will miss Kaizer Chiefs’ next league match and the Soweto derby next week.
With hopes of finishing second on the DStv Premiership standings, Zwane will now look to win the Nedbank Cup.
However, a semi-final clash against Archnemesis Orlando Pirates stands in the way.
The two Soweto rivals clash next Saturday at the FNB Stadium in a potentially explosive encounter.
On Sunday, Sekhukhune United edged Chiefs 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, completing a double over them.
What made their case worse was that Pirates and SuperSport United won their games, turning the race for a CAF Champions League spot into a two-horse contest.
Pirates narrowly beat Cape Town City 2-1, while United were victorious against AmaZulu [2-1].
The results meant Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport moved back to second place with 47 points, although they have played 27 games.
The Buccaneers are third with 46 after 26 games, while Amakhosi are on 41.
Zwane has confirmed that when they play Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay on Freedom Day, another of his key players will be missing.
Chiefs are already without Khama Billiat, who is nursing an injury that has limited him to the sidelines in 2023.
“We have players who are not going to be available for this one. A notable one will be Keagan Dolly, who is going to be out until the end of the season,” Zwane said.
Dolly limped off on Sunday when Chiefs lost to Sekhukhune United, and Zwane hinted it was a knee injury.
READ: Who else are Chiefs targeting as Arthur Zwane hints at more signings?
However, Zwane has two players he feels he could turn to in the absence of his vice-captain.
“We are going to try and tweak the team here and there to get the right balance. It’s going to be between Happy [Mashiane] and [Kgaogelo] Sekgota [to replace Dolly].
“We’re going to see who is going to be mentally and physically ready for this game. The fact that we have been playing back-to-back also took a lot from the players, so we will try and manage some of them because we don’t want to risk injuries.”
Kaizer Chiefs will have to be wary against the Chilli Boys, who are in 15th place with 26 points from 26 games.
They need a win to move to safety.