Johnson forced to use 'spare key' to shut backdoor against AmaZulu

As Kaizer Chiefs prepare to take on AmaZulu FC, head coach Cavin Johnson is faced with a selection headache, with at least three defensive options effectively ruled out of action on Sunday.

Amakhosi will be aiming to break a run of two matches without a win they travel to Durban to take on an Usuthu outfit just as desperate for points after failing to win their last two outings as well.

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Ahead of the fixture, Johnson will be scratching his head for solutions as Chiefs are guaranteed to be without at least three players, in Given Msimango, Edmilson Dove and Brandon Petersen.

The trio are serving suspensions for each collecting a red card.

Msimango, who has been one of Amakhosi's consistent players this season, with 25 appearances under his belt, was given an early shower when he uncharacteristically went into a reckless tackle on Lucas Ribeiro Costa during their 5-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns last week.

Dove collected two yellow cards for a handball and a reckless tackle during a 2-2 draw against TS Galaxy, before Petersen, who was animated on the touchline, also bizarrely was sent off.

The ensuing chaos sees Chiefs left with just Njabulo Ngcobo and Zitha Kwinika as the only available options at centre-back, and Johnson may be tempted to hand academy graduate Aiden McCarthy a first DStv Premiership appearance.

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The 20-year-old has been training with the first team for almost the entirety of this season and had featured for the club's reserves.

Between the sticks, the Soweto giants still have the option of Bruce Bvuma and may even be tempted to hand veteran shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune an honorary appearance, with the former Bafana Bafana number one set to bid farewell to his playing career as a Chiefs player.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:30.

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