Santos have an injury crisis as they head into their crunch Telkom Knockout semifinal against Kaizer Chiefs at Polokwane's Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night. Kick-off is at 8:15pm and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport 4 from 7:30pm.
Despite coach Boebie Solomons's major injury worries, the People's Team believe they can upset favourites Amakhosi twice in 10 days, and feel they will take a psychological advantage into this tough cup-tie, having won a league match played at the Rand Stadium last Wednesday.
“The injuries are a big worry, but the fact we beat Chiefs 1-0 at their home ground last week has given the players added confidence and a belief they can beat them twice in a row," stressed Solomons.
"While Amakhosi coach Vladimir Vermezovic has seven players on international duty, Solomons has three in Botswana – internationals Mogogi Gabonamong, Boitumelo Mafoko and Malawi's Peter Mpondo, who will all arrive back in camp on Thursday. The mounting injury list, however, worries the People's Team coach more.
Key strikers Erwin Isaacs and Eleazer Rodgers are non-starters through injury. Midfielders Shafreeq Arendse, Salmaan King, Jurie Basie and defender Musa Otieno are all in the treatment room nursing an assortment of injuries.
“The injuries worry me more than the players on international duty. I am keeping fingers crossed most will pass late fitness tests. It is a case of wait and see,” admitted Solomons.
HAPPY MEMORIES
The coach has happy memories of Polokwane from his days as coach of First Division side Winners Park. “Those were happy ones and I reckon playing at the Peter Mokaba Stadium will be good for Santos and for me – it is like playing at home. I know the conditions well.”
Three of his players, striker Phikolethu Spelman, midfielder Musa Nkondo and defender Thabiso Ntloana, were part of Solomons' squad at Winners Park.
Solomons is not concerned by the fact that Chiefs have seven players on international duty.
“Chiefs are one of the best sides in Africa. They have 15 more players who could play internationally and I do not believe having players away on national duty will affect them much.”
Solomons has done wonders with a limited squad and he is aiming for a record fourth cup final.
In his various spells with Santos, he lifted the Bob Save Super Bowl in 2001, won the BP Top Eight Cup in 2002 and the following year he succeeded in winning the Absa Cup.
“I have a good record with Santos when it comes to winning cup finals. I honestly believe if we beat Chiefs we would be heading for a fourth trophy.
"But a lot will depend on which players recover from injuries.”
Chiefs, fresh from their 3-1 thumping of archrivals Orlando Pirates in last weekend's league Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium, will have their confidence restored but know that in Santos they face a much more stubborn opponent who make up for their lack of skill with discipline, sheer hard work and never-say-die attitude.
Solomons will miss Wednesday night's Nelson Mandela Challenge between Bafana Bafana and the United States at the Cape Town Stadium as he was not invited to the game by Safa which is sad because PSL coaches seem to be forgotten when a big international game comes to Cape Town.
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