Bartlett to feature against Arrows
Bartlett to feature against Arrows

Posted in News on Dec 11, 2007.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral was a happy man on Tuesday morning when he learnt that he would be able to pick Shaun Bartlett.

The Amakhosi’s top goal scorer for the current campaign would be able to play some part in Chiefs next league game against Arrows on Wednesday evening.

Chiefs midweek clash with Arrows will be The Amakhosi’s first home league game in Gauteng since the 22nd September when they played host to Ajax Cape Town.



For Ertugral nothing could be important at this time than to walk away with three points from the Vodacom Loftus Stadium on Wednesday night. Having Bartlett in his squad will help the Chiefs coach in achieving that task. Along with Bartlett another of Chiefs veterans Thabo Mooki will be available for selection.

Mooki like Bartlett Mooki was injured in Chiefs Telkom Knockout Cup Win over Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the month, together they watched from the sidelines as Chiefs drew consecutive league games against Amazulu and Santos.



Arrows debut



Having never featured in a Chiefs game against Golden Arrows since becoming a Chiefs player at the start of last season, Bartlett is hoping to see some game time on Wednesday as he works towards full fitness. Bartlett said “it is really strange that I have never played against Arrows as I was injured last season when we faced them both home and away. I hope to get some time any time on the field, I do not think that the coach will start with me but I am hopeful that I will get to see some action on Wednesday”.



Goals in mind



With Chiefs being lamented for not creating a single goal scoring chance in the second half of their last encounter against Santos, Bartlett will be aiming to put up a fight to ensure that does not happen again. That he and his strike partner will want to do all they can to ensure that the opposition defense works over time on Wednesday, as he added “I will endeavor to be industrious during the match against Arrows, in addition try to be a more creative in attack and make sure that when we do go forward we are menacing and get rewarded for it by finding the back of the net or at least making the goalkeeper work”.



Defensive movement



Ertugral’s preparations for the Arrows game were once again set back by suspensions and The Amakhosi will have to move players around in order to fill the gap, in all likelihood David Obua who has held a midfield role in the past couple of matches will have to slot in at left back.

As both Onismor Bhasera and Ditheko Mototo who played at left back in the last two games have been ruled out from playing against Arrows.

Bhasera was sent off during Chiefs draw with Amazulu and having already missed the Santos game will be out for the Arrows encounter and should be available for selection when Chiefs face Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday. Mototo who was booked for the third time this season during Sunday’s match in Cape Town, will sit out the Arrows game but will also be available for Chiefs trip to Bloemfontein at the weekend.

Share this article: