Kaizer Chiefs will be without influential midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu for their upcoming Betway Premiership clash against Sekhukhune United on Sunday after he picked up his fourth yellow card of the season.The 29-year-old has been an important part of Chiefs’ midfield engine room, often tasked with the less glamorous defensive duties. However, his aggressive style of play once again came under scrutiny during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld.
Ndlovu was shown a yellow card early in the match, becoming the first Chiefs player to be booked. The caution proved costly, as it was his fourth of the campaign, automatically triggering a one-match suspension in line with PSL regulations.He was fortunate to escape further punishment, as his physical approach in midfield could have easily resulted in a second booking. Chiefs’ co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze eventually opted to substitute him shortly after the hour mark, a decision that helped avoid the risk of playing the final stages with ten men.
By that point, the damage had already been done in terms of discipline, even though he had contributed significantly to breaking up Sundowns’ attacking rhythm.Ndlovu had already missed Chiefs’ previous outing against Siwelele FC due to injury discomfort picked up in the Soweto Derby, making his availability inconsistent in recent weeks.His absence now adds to Chiefs’ midfield concerns ahead of a crucial run-in, with the club still pushing to secure a strong finish in the league.
Meanwhile, several other Amakhosi players remain on disciplinary watch. Wandile Duba, Flavio Silva, Mfundo Vilakazi, and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo are all sitting on three yellow cards, meaning another booking in the next three fixtures could also trigger suspensions.For Chiefs, discipline may prove just as important as performance as the season reaches its decisive stage.