Mayo in line to play for Chiefs in DR Congo

Kaizer Chiefs new striker Khanyisa Mayo has been added to Kaizer Chiefs’ list of registered players for this season’s African Confederation Cup and will likely lead the attack on Saturday when they take on AS Simba of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.

There are several windows of opportunity to register players with the Confederation of African Football to play in continental competition and Mayo has had his paperwork sorted after he missed Chiefs’ narrow win over Angola’s Kabuscorp in the first round.

The 27-year-old Mayo, who scored on his league debut after joining on loan from Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria, adds to the firepower as Chiefs look for a positive away result in their second round, first leg tie.

It is also expected that Saturday’s clash will mark a first outing for Lebogang Maboe, who was signed on free transfer after being released from his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 31-year-old Maboe, whose injury woes in recent seasons have stymied his progress, last played on the final day of the previous league season in May, when he ended his loan spell at SuperSport United.

Chiefs also have Mfundo Vilakazi, back in their squad. He had been in Chile with South Africa’s under-20 team who made it past the first round but were eliminated in the last 16.

Chiefs travelled with a 22-man squad to Lubumbashi on Thursday, which included Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

He refused to come off the pitch when coach Khalid Ben Youssef was seeking to substitute him near the end of their last match against Stellenbosch, and it was expected he would face some sanction from the club.

Ben Youssef wanted Bruce Bvuma in goal for the post-match penalty shootout, but Ntwari waved away the coach, and then saved only one of Stellenbosch’s six kicks as the home team knocked Chiefs out of the competition.

Ntwari kept goal for his country in Nelspruit on Tuesday as they lost 3-0 to South Africa, who qualified for the World Cup.

Chiefs host the second leg of their tie against the Congolese newcomers at Dobsonville Stadium next Saturday.

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