Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson could be forced to change the criticised midfield formula of Yusuf Maart, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Edson Castillo ahead of the Soweto derby against Moroka Swallows.
Amakhosi coaches, from former mentor Molefi Ntseki, have been told that Maart, Mthethwa and Castillo should not be playing in the same team, as there is less creativity when the trio are in the same line-up.
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The criticism from supporters and some legends is also backed by statistics, as Chiefs are yet to win a game with all three of the above-mentioned midfielders playing in the same team.
Following the international break, the Glamour Boys will need to be careful in how they manage Castillo after he featured for Venezuela in two 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers in a goalless draw against Ecuador and a 1-1 draw against Peru.
The Venezuelan midfielder featured in the dying minutes of both games but the travelling he has had to do is quite daunting, as his last match away to Peru was in the early hours of Wednesday morning (South African time), meaning he may only arrive back in the country on Thursday.
The 29-year-old could have his first training session with the whole Amakhosi squad on Friday, with the team set to visit neighbours Swallows in the Soweto derby on Sunday afternoon at Dobsonville Stadium.
How Johnson manages the fatigue levels would be crucial, as Mthethwa also featured off the bench for Bafana in a 2-1 win over Benin and travelled with the squad to Rwanda following a 2-0 loss on Tuesday afternoon.
Although Mthethwa did not feature against Rwanda, the mileage on his travels will also be a factor, especially after Broos complained about the three-hour bus travel they had to make from the airport to the stadium.
Johnson, when making second-half changes against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby prior to the FIFA break threw in Samkelo Zwane, who was one of the players that changed the complexion of the game after he replaced Mthethwa for the Glamour Boys and the academy graduate could be in line to make his first start of the season.
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