Maboe MIA for Chiefs: 'We decided with the medical staff...'

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has explained the absence of Lebohang Maboe during the side's Betway Premiership win over Sekhukhune United on Sunday.

Amakhosi secured a spot in next season's CAF Confederation Cup after beating Babina Noko 2-0 at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. Goals from Tashreeq Morris and Mfundo Vilakazi were enough to secure the vital victory.

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It did not go unnoticed, though, that Maboe - arguably Chiefs' most vital player in the midfield this season - was not part of the matchday squad.

He joined at the start of the season and has collected five Man of the Match awards.

The 31-year-old is considered a major catalyst behind a side that looks rejuvenated, making his absence on Sunday all the more surprising.

"About Maboe, like I said, it was fatigue after the last game. We decided with the medical staff and with him to give him a rest in this game," shared Ben Youssef in the post-match press conference.

While the former Mamelodi Sundowns man was more of an optional absentee, the likes of Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala were out with injuries.

"[Siphesihle] Ndlovu, the problem is that he had four yellow cards. Duba is still injured, Shabalala is injured.

"We are trying to keep consistency in the team, but sometimes there is a risk of injury. So, we have to make a rotation."

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"Like I said, a lot of times we speak about the team or a player. We have shown that any player, when they are asked to come on, is ready to fight for the badge, for the team, and for the fans," he added.

The Soweto giants have two more matches to play, against AmaZulu on Saturday and Chippa United on 23 May, both at Moses Mabhida Stadium.