AmaZulu coach Romain Folz has confirmed that Abbubaker Mobara, Keagan Buchanan and George Maluleka will be back in time to face Kaizer Chiefs who they host at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening.
Mobara played the club’s first game after the resumption of the league against Sekhukhune United, playing the entire match, but he missed the 2-0 loss to Royal AM over the weekend.
Folz confirmed that it is a minor injury for Mobara and Maluleka was given time off after he was left struggling to breath due to the heat in the same match against Sekhukhune late last month.
The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder also missed the 2-0 loss to Royal AM, where both players’ services were hugely missed by coach Folz as Abram Nteo’s side dominated the midfield area.
Buchanan, unlike the two others, has not played in any matches since the resumption of the league but did train with the team last week.
“Mobara and Buchanan are injured,” said Folz.
“They should be back next week and same for Maluleka, who will be back. It is just minor injuries and nothing serious.”
While the trio missed the match, this afforded the opportunity for coach Folz to start with Hendrick Ekstein in the attacking area and Thabo Qalinge arriving on the bench in the second half.
Both players were banished not to train with the club for six months after former Usuthu coach Brandon Truter deemed them surplus to his requirements.
Folz also started up top with Junior Dion, who joined the club from Marumo Gallants, Folz’s former club, but the ball did not stick for the Ivory Coast international.
However, out of all these players, Ekstein was a stand-out player, looking very lively and creating something for Usuthu but things tailed off later as this game was his first since May last year.
“Ekstein did well and for me he was probably our best player against Royal AM,” said Folz.
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“He was very dynamic, very good on the ball. I think Qalinge lacked a little bit of pace because of the game after a long time without him playing at this level.
‘For an offensive player of his dynamism, to get the pace back physically, it will take maybe a couple of games.”
